5 Big Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Rental Property

It’s a part of life: Things go wrong and will go wrong in a property you manage. 

So, the questions become: How are you going to proactively address issues before they arise and what will you do when a crisis kicks in?

Among the most common issues we see with rental properties in and well beyond Arlington County are:

1) Plumbing malfunctions. We live in a diverse area with diverse properties, some of which haven’t had their plumbing systems checked in several years. In addition to having a trusted plumber on your speed dial for a pending disaster, you’ll want to get them in periodically to gauge how things stand.

2) Appliance failures. Sometimes older appliances just aren’t worth it anymore – they break down all the time and are energy hogs compared to newer models. With so many appliances, seemingly minor issues (but major to tenants!) can easily populate.

3) Roofing leaks. Oh, the pesky roof or ceiling leak. We’ve all been there, but sometimes we don’t have to be. In many cases, the growth of moisture – which ultimately equates to destroying roofing and the surfaces below – can be nipped in the bud with a regular inspection.

4) Bugs! It is so important to nip pest issues in the bud before things spiral out of control. The more proactive you can be with a pest specialist, the better.

5) Toilet repairs. Whether it’s a clog, non-stop running toilet or leak, toilet problems are no fun. As with so many home repairs, sometimes it can be a matter of jiggling a part the right way or an expensive fix.

These issues only touch on the things any property manager needs to be thinking about. Any property manager should have a regular checklist of items to inspect before a new tenant moves in and a trusted list of vendors for emergency repairs.

And, of course, if and when the time and energy to address existing/possible issues becomes too much, it’s time to turn to a property management company for help.