Maintenance That Protects Your Pocket and Your Investment

Maintenance That Protects Your Pocket and Your Investment

As a landlord, your property is your investment, and the goal is to profit from that investment. To maximise your profit, you must keep costs to a minimum but not skimp on maintenance and repairs. Since these are necessary for attracting and retaining quality tenants, it is important to learn how to make meaningful repairs on a limited budget. 

Here, we will discuss budget-friendly repairs that can leave a good, lasting impression.

1. Replace switch plate covers on electrical points
   
   Start with a small and inexpensive detail: replace the switch cover plates that are outdated, damaged, or broken. Not only will it look more appealing, but it will be safer, too. Damaged or broken switch plate covers are a serious safety hazard. Dust could accumulate around the wires, leading to an electrical fire. Or, if your tenants have children or pets, they could be shocked if they reach into the openings.

2. Refresh doors and handles
   
   Prospective tenants will walk through and open the doors of your property, so they are bound to be noticed. Give your doors a fresh coat of varnish or paint, and consider changing the door handles too. Making big items like doors look cared for gives the impression that the property is well-maintained.
   
   While we are discussing doors, your door frame might also need a fresh coat of paint or varnish. Similarly, if you have older wooden window frames with flaking or cracked varnish on your property, consider maintaining them with sanding and a new coat of varnish. It will make a big difference because not only will it add to the appeal of your property, but it will also protect the wood, letting you prolong the lifespan of the window frames, as they can be expensive to replace.

3. Focus on finishes
   
   A detail that could help make a room look cleaner and more rounded off is the wall trim. Take a good look at the skirtings and cornices in your property. If they appear worn and cracked, it is time to replace or repair them. If you do not have cornices or skirtings throughout the entire property, adding them to the entryway or the living room can create a great first impression.

4. Tinker the taps
   
   Leaky taps make homes look neglected and are wasteful. Repairing them makes life easier (no more wrestling to tighten a tap excessively) and can save on utility bills. Fixing leaks isn’t as intimidating as it sounds, and it may be as cheap and simple as replacing a worn part, like a washer. Turn your water off at the mains, disassemble the tap and identify the problem. If you need help with this, there are plenty of videos on YouTube or DIY sites. Alternatively, you can ask the floor staff at the local hardware store for some advice.

5. Seal the bathroom
   
   One small detail that’s cheap and easy to change is resealing around your bath and shower. This isn’t just for appeal but to prevent future issues such as rot and mould from forming in your bathroom. You can do this by removing the old silicone and cleaning the surfaces before applying the new silicone.

Regularly maintaining your rental property shows your tenant that you care about their standard of living, and it helps to keep long-term costs down. It’s worth the effort!