A lot of landlords and property managers only go to their properties when there is a problem. The trouble is, by the time a problem arises, you usually have many more problems to deal with—along with the problem that originally brought you to the property.
You should have a maintenance plan or property management team like Carolina Living in place so you’re in your property at least once every six months. When you get a new tenant, you should inspect their unit within the first two months. You want to make sure that the tenants are treating the property with respect. You want to point out any damage that they may have caused, and tell them that you will be sending your maintenance man over to fix it, and how much it will cost them.
Do this at the beginning and it will set the tone for your relationship with the
tenant. Then every six months or so, you’ll want to do another inspection. You can
either schedule it or surprise them. I like to surprise them; then I know exactly
how they are living.
You’ll want to go into the basement and make sure it is not being used as a storage
facility; same with the attic. When tenants store items in your basement or attic,
those are usually the things they leave behind when they move out. Then you have
to pay to dispose of the items. If these are allowed, then the return of security deposits should also be tied to the removal.
You’ll also want to check the plumbing inside the units and in the basement for
water leaks. The most common profit-losing problem is a toilet that will not stop
running, or a dripping sink. In no time you could be faced with large water problems.
Make sure tenants are not throwing trash all over the yard, or leaving unregistered
cars on your lot. Once trash starts piling up, it attracts more trash. Pretty soon
your property is the neighborhood junkyard.
Periodic inspections will save you money and tenant turnover. Then when problems arise, they will not be big ones.
Carolina Living Property Management is your Charlotte Property Management and Lake Norman Property Management of choice. We do inspections and drive by’s periodically to make sure your asset is being taken care of.
Professional Services at reasonable rates
