Maintaining a rental property is a big job. From smoke alarms to dyers ducts, caring for a property takes dedication and awareness from tenants and landlords alike. There’s plenty to do, and it is up to the landlord and local laws to determine the division of labor when it comes to maintaining a rental property.

To save money, time, and frustration, landlords and tenants should have a clearly established set of responsibilities outlined in the rental agreement for repairing minor damages to the property. For anything outside of a quick fix, you may need to contract an expert. But before you call in the professionals, take steps to determine if you can solve the problem yourself.

Here is a handy guide troubleshooting common problems in any home:

INDEX

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Garbage Disposals

Slow/Clogged Drains

Clogged Toilets

A/C and Heat

Power Outlets/Power Outages

Garage Remotes/Doors

Sprinkler Timers/Thermostat Programming

Pest Control

Dryer Duct Cleaning

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

• If your smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector is going off, please go outside and call 911 immediately!

• If your smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector is beeping, it probably needs a new battery. It is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure all alarms have functioning batteries.

Garbage Disposals:

• Clogged garbage disposals are most often the tenant’s responsibility, and should a technician need to assist, it will likely be the on the tenant’s dollar. Watch this video for help unclogging the disposal yourself to avoid the cost of a professional:

• If you’ve followed the steps in the video and the disposal is still clogged, please proceed with a maintenance request.

• Note: Do not use liquid drain cleaner in the kitchen sink, especially in a garbage disposal.

TIPS: How to Avoid Clogs and Slow Draining Situations

• Do not put potato peelings, coffee grounds, or eggshells into your disposal. These items will stick to any sludge in the pipe and quickly create a clog.

• Maintain your disposal by regularly grinding up pieces of lemon peel and ice cubes.

• Avoid odors by also treating your disposal every month with a couple handfuls of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar. With the unit turned off, apply the mixture and allow it to finish foaming. Finally, rinse it down the drain with running water.

Slow/Clogged Drains:

• Clogged drains are most often tenant responsibilities.

• Remove hair and debris from the drain. You can use a very inexpensive drain stick from a home improvement store to easily remove hair clogs.

• Try using a plunger.

• If neither of these options work, try using a liquid drain cleaner such as Drano.

• If these steps do not resolve the issue, please proceed with a maintenance request.

• Note: Again, do not use liquid drain cleaner in the kitchen sink, especially in a garbage disposal.

Clogged Toilets

• A clogged toilet is most often the tenant’s responsibility.

• Use a plunger to clear the clog.

• If a plunger doesn’t work, try to use a snake to remove the clog.

• If the toilet is still clogged after these steps, please proceed with a maintenance request.

A/C or Heat Not Working:

• Check the air filter and replace if dirty.

• Make sure the air filter is clean and properly installed.

• Maintaining a clean air filter is tenant responsibility. Please change your air filter every 2-3 months.

• If replacing the filter does fix the problem, please proceed with a maintenance request.

Power Outlets and Power Outages:

Outlets

• Test the light switches to see if they turn the outlet on and off.

• Locate the GFCI outlets (outlets with the test and reset buttons). Look for GFCIs in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, garages and on the home’s exterior. Then press the reset button on all GFCI outlets you can find.

• If the reset button does not work, please proceed with a maintenance request.

Power Outages

• Make sure the power is not out in the area by checking with your local power provider.

• Check the breakers.

• If the power is not out in the area and checking the breakers does not work, please proceed with a maintenance request.

Garage Remotes/Doors:

• The most common cause of garage door remote control failure is weak or dead batteries. For assistance, this video demonstrates how to change the garage door battery:

• If replacing the batteries does not work, or you have other issues, please proceed with a maintenance request.

Sprinkler Timer and/or Thermostat Programming:

• Refer to the owner’s manual or use Google to determine how to program your model of sprinkler timer and/or thermostat.

• If you cannot program the timer/thermostat, please proceed with a maintenance request.

Pest Control:

• Try products like insect repellant or mouse traps that you can purchase and use yourself.

• For more tips on pest control, see here.

• If you have tried to resolve the pest issue yourself and cannot, please proceed with a maintenance request.

Dryer Duct Cleaning:

• The tenant is responsible for maintaining a clean dryer, as well as the duct through to the outside of the home. Ducts that vent to the roof are the landlord’s responsibility. The tenant should not go on the roof.

• For more tips on duct cleaning, look here.

For more information on property management and real estate investments, contact 208.properties today.

For more information on property management and real estate investments, contact 208.properties today.