7 Maintenance Tips for Your Miami Rental Properties

As a landlord, your rental property is likely to be one of your most valuable assets. As such, it makes perfect sense to protect it.

Yet, time and again, landlords in Miami fall behind when it comes to routine maintenance tasks. Sometimes leaving all maintenance duties to their tenants. Either of the two scenarios are not beneficial for your rental business.

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure your Miami rental property is in tiptop shape at all times. This not only helps keep major repairs at bay, but it also extends the life of your property.

Read on to find out the 7 top maintenance tips for your Miami rental properties.

Rental Property Maintenance Checklist

Tip #1: Perform regular property inspections. 

Want to catch problems early in your rental property? If so, then you need to perform regular property inspections. Regular inspections will help you make sure that your investment is safe and in good condition.

The following are some important things to be the lookout for:

Tip #2: Check for pests regularly. 

When it comes to pest control, is it the landlord or tenant’s responsibility? Well, there has been a longstanding debate on this issue.

That said, as a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure you provide a safe and habitable premise to your tenant. This means making sure that your Miami property is pest-free prior to the tenant moving in.

From there, it becomes your tenant’s responsibility to maintain it. However, for this to be legally binding, ensure you include it as part of your Miami rental property’s lease agreement.

Tip #3: Spruce up the landscaping. 

Curb appeal is very important when renting out rental properties. It’s the first impression prospective renters will have of your rental property.

A properly landscaped property can help:

• Create a great curb appeal to attract future tenants
• Prevent serious pest infestation
• Increase property value
• Create more oxygen and trap pollutants in the air
• Improve drainage and prevent flooding, foundation slipping, and sidewalk cracking
• Absorb surrounding noise
• Help keep your neighborhood cool from the scorching summer heat
• Provide a visually appealing space your tenants can be proud of and want to maintain and keep clean

Tip #4: Check for water damage and leaks. 

Severe water damage can weaken your home’s structural stability. That is why it is important for you to include this in your rental property maintenance checklist. The key is to ensure that you repair the problem before it becomes serious.

The best time to look for leakages is after heavy rains, and when snow and ice have melted. When checking for water damage, look for soft spots on the ceiling, inspect your boilers and the water heater. If you find there is a leak, call a professional immediately.

Tip #5: Care for the HVAC system.

Repairing or totally replacing an HVAC system can be costly. That’s why it’s important to constantly care for it through regular maintenance. The following are some tips to help you manage your property’s heating and cooling system.

• Remove standing water. It’s vital to regularly get rid of the water collecting in your building’s humidity-moderating units like drains pans. Stagnant water can also become a breeding ground for contaminants and bacteria.
• Clean the air ducts. Use brushes, vacuums, and power washers to detail the equipment on a regular basis. Having messy and dirty units can pose a health risk to your tenants and can create costly problems in the future.
• Check belts and bearings. Check to make sure your belts have a straight edge and clean them regularly. Belt misalignment can cause the belt to wear out and groove the pulley.
• Replace air filters. Generally, air filters aren’t costly. So keep a supply of air filters on hand for quick replacement.

Tip #6: Understand Florida's rental laws.

Understanding the rental laws affecting your rental property is key. They will help you run a profitable business and protect your investment.

The following are key Florida landlord-tenant laws to know about:

• Fair Housing Laws: As a Miami landlord, it’s illegal to discriminate against potential tenants based on their characteristics. Such characteristics include familial status, disability, sex, religion, national origin, color, and race.
• Security Deposit Rules: There are rules that govern the use and return of security deposits. Please see Statute 83.49 for the original text of the security deposit law in the state of Florida.
• State Laws: State laws help define things like landlord entry, eviction notices, and lease, rent, and fees.

Tip #7: Maintain your water heater.

Water heaters are often overlooked during rental property maintenance. And, if you have ever replaced your water heater, then you know how costly it can be.

The following are some simple ways that can help you maintain your water heater:

• Get an annual professional water heater inspection. Your water heater, much like your car, needs regular maintenance from professionals who are trained and certified.
• Wrap your water heater in an insulating blanket. The insulating blanket helps reduce the amount of standby heat loss. The reduced strain can help prolong its life.
• Conduct a mini-flush on your water heater to get rid of sediment. The sediment can both decrease the efficiency of your water heater and corrode your tank. You may even include the mini-flush on your inspection checklist.
• Inspect the temperature and pressure relief valve. Increased temperature and pressure can lead to an explosion.
• Reduce your water heater’s temperature setting. This helps reduce the chances of your water heater overheating. You can also expect to save up to five percent on your energy bills.

Ultimately, regular maintenance of your Miami rental property also relies on the relationship and cooperation you have with your renters. That’s why cultivating a good landlord-tenant relationship is key.

Having a well-maintained property will help you attract the right tenant and enhance your property’s value. So, keep up to date on your rental property maintenance checklist.