If you have a property that you aren’t living in but also don’t want to sell, you should consider becoming a landlord and renting it out for other people to live in. Being a landlord will allow you to take your vacant property and use it to generate an income. However, this means you will still be responsible for the property itself, and as a result, you will still be responsible for things like the upkeep of the property, which can be far more difficult than just replacing the air filter for the AC every few months. These are some of the responsibilities that you will need to take care of when you’re a landlord.
Home Repairs
As a landlord, you will need to take care of all sorts of home repairs as they crop up. Some landlords try to put off these repairs because they don’t want to spend the money it would take to have them fixed, especially bigger repairs such as replacements or remodels to update old or worn-out areas of the house like the roof, foundation, or various large appliances like the stove or fridge. This can include areas such as the roof, the walls, or the foundation. All of them can be major projects to undertake, and the bigger the repair needed, the more expensive it is. However, it is imperative that you have repairs made right away so that they don’t become bigger issues later on.
HVAC Servicing
Your tenants will probably use their HVAC system quite often as the temperature changes with the seasons. This is why you need to have it serviced several times a year. This will ensure that it will continue to run as it should, and the HVAC technician will be able to spot issues that you aren’t aware of quicker because they make regular service checkups. You don’t want your tenants to have to go without heat or air conditioning just because you failed to have the HVAC system serviced on a regular basis.
Exterminator Service
Like all properties, your rental property can get all sorts of rodents and insects. This can include mice, roaches, ants, termites, or any other number of pests that can cause a decent amount of damage fairly quickly if left untreated. You should hire an exterminator service, one like Skeeter Beater, to take preventative measures to keep these pests from infiltrating your property or to get rid of them if you find them already making a home there. If you don’t, you may find that they are difficult to get rid of, which can lead to an infestation that’s impossible to get rid of.
Structural Maintenance
In order to keep your property in the best condition possible for as long as possible, you do need to do structural maintenance from time to time. This includes things like having the roof and wall siding pressure washed and also getting your gutters cleaned out. You should also inspect your property as a whole a couple of times a year to see if there are any issues that need to be addressed such as with the front or back lawns, the driveway, or the property’s foundation.
Becoming a landlord will allow you to bring in an additional income each month, but you will have some responsibilities that you need to take care of on a regular basis. It’s important to do all of the things mentioned above as this will allow you to keep your property in the best shape possible and to ensure that your tenants have a safe place to live at all times.
