Blog Post

Rental Property Maintenance Tasks You Might Be Missing

Dustin Edwards • Aug 30, 2021

Small Maintenance Items Can Help You Save Big on Costly Repairs

Rental Property Maintenance
A vital component of operating your Long Beach rental is ensuring that everything on the property is in pristine and working condition. Broken or faulty items not only pose an inconvenience for your tenants, but they are also a potential safety hazard. Additionally, if interested tenants notice anything is disheveled or defective, chances are they will turn down your rental. 

However, there are times when even experienced landlords overlook certain aspects of their rental. As such, here are a few important property maintenance tasks that you might be missing. 

Sprinkler Heads
There are many reasons your Long Beach rental’s sprinkler heads may break. Most commonly, feral animals might tamper with them, or machinery (i.e. lawnmowers, bicycles, and cars) might come into accidental contact with them. Regardless, it is important to check on your rental’s sprinkler heads and ensure that they are intact and still working properly. 

If you find that one of your rental’s sprinkler heads is broken, replacing it is a rather simple and inexpensive process. Start by checking the top of the existing sprinkler head to determine the model (pop-up or impact), delivery rate (inches per hour or gallons per minute), spray pattern, and throwing distance. Failing to match any of these details can cause water leakage and damage to the sprinkler system. 

Once you know all these characteristics, you can find replacement sprinkler heads at Home Depot or your local home improvement store. 

After obtaining the replacement sprinkler head, dig a hole around the old sprinkler head, unscrew it from the riser pipe, and screw on the new sprinkler head. 

Then, you should test the sprinkler system and watch it for a few minutes to verify that the new sprinkler head works properly. If no leakage occurs, chances are your replacement sprinkler head is a success!

Washer Hoses
One of the most common culprits of house floodings is washer hoses. 

Many homes have washer hoses made out of reinforced rubber, which are dangerous because of their likelihood to burst. Not only would this pose an extremely horrible situation for your tenants, but it could also cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in water damages and refurbishment expenses. 

Instead of a rubber washer hose, consider purchasing a stainless steel washer hose. The stainless steel minimizes any chance of flooding by acting as a burst-resistant barrier. 

For an even greater safety measure, you can buy a stainless steel washer hose with an auto-shutoff mechanism. This additional feature will stop water flow if it senses any alarming changes in water pressure. 

Out of all of the above options, auto-shutoff stainless steel washer hoses are the best choice. Though they may be the most expensive, the added price is worth the peace of mind knowing that your Long Beach rental is safe from flooding. 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential and required items for your rental. According to the California Building Code, there must be one smoke alarm on every floor of non-sleeping rooms, one smoke alarm in every sleeping room, and one smoking alarm in every hallway that leads to a sleeping room. 

Similarly, California law requires at least one carbon monoxide detector in single-family residences. One should be sufficient for a one-story rental, but if your rental is two stories, consider installing one downstairs and one upstairs. 

It is important to make sure that your Long Beach rental meets these standards and that all the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating. 

The best way to guarantee this is by replacing smoke detector batteries annually and carbon monoxide detectors biannually. By doing this, you avoid any false chirping, which poses an inconvenience for your tenants and might falsely scare them into thinking there is a threat. Additionally, this gives you time to check on all the detectors and see if they are malfunctioning or broken. 

Furthermore, you should replace smoke detectors around every ten years and carbon monoxide detectors about every five years because, eventually, the alarm sensors stop working. Leaving old detectors in your Long Beach rental can be hazardous as they may fail to save your tenants from catastrophic fires or gas leaks.  
Home Depot and plenty of other retailers carry a wide variety of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Window Screens
Torn and brittle window screens are not only unsightly and bring down your Long Beach rental’s curb appeal, but they also let in bugs, rain, and dust. 

Unfortunately, there is no clear lifespan for window screens. Therefore, you should keep an eye on your rental’s window screens and replace them whenever they become thin and start to develop holes. Depending on the amount of wear and tear they endure, window screens can last anywhere between five to ten years. It all depends on how you and your tenants care for your property. 

Home Depot carries pre-framed window screens of various widths which makes it easy to find replacement screens that best fit your rental’s windows. 

Adding these property maintenance tasks to your checklist will better your rental and foster happier tenants. If you need further assistance with caring for your Long Beach rental, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can fill out our Owner Application online.

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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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