Blog Post

Unexpected Maintenance Items that can Save Your Property

Dustin Edwards • Oct 05, 2022

Maintenance For Your Property Is Important

Any good landlord understands keeping their Long Beach rental property in proper working conditions means general maintenance is required. Making sure your property is maintained can increase its curb appeal, tenant retention, and reduce larger expenses by preventing the early breakdown of important components.


There are some
important maintenance items that some landlords occasionally forget about or are unaware of. Today we’ll go through some of the preventative maintenance that can save your property and your tenants from the unexpected.


Fireplace Cleaning

This will typically only affect single family homes with working fireplaces. Fireplaces are one of those features in homes that give off a “cozy” feeling, and sometimes are overlooked for maintenance because tenants don’t often use fireplaces in Southern California. Fireplaces come in a few styles: wood burning, gas, electric and ethanol. Ethanol and eclectic don't produce smoke and require little to no maintenance. Gas and wood burning fireplaces however, do produce smoke, meaning that maintenance needs to be performed  regularly.


Over years, a gas fireplace can begin to malfunction because the burners can become blocked with debris. If not cleaned annually, the burners can begin to fail causing more damage to the entire system. Damage to the gas hoses, burners or any other part of the system can lead to larger repair bills that would have otherwise been prevented.


Wood burning fireplaces need the most focus when it comes to cleaning, and it's recommended to hire a professional to do the work. Burning wood leaves behind debris, ashes and a flammable residue called creosote. Creosote can ignite and can cause house fires if left unchecked. If the fireplace is used often, it's recommended to have your fireplace professionally cleaned twice every year, and have the chimney inspected annually.


Cleaning HVAC Ductwork 

Just like the HVAC unit itself, the air ducts require maintenance on a regular basis to maximize efficiency. In Long Beach the air conditioning is used often, and it's recommended to clean your air ducts every 3 to 5 years. A few tell-tale signs that your ducts need to be cleaned are an unpleasant odor coming from the vents, a clogged air filter, the vents are filled with debris and dust, or an uneven or poor airflow. In extreme cases mold and mildew can be seen in or around the HVAC system.


Having poor air flow, or dirty air ducts can cause tenants health issues including:



  • Headaches
  • Fever
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty breathing


If allowed to accumulate uncontrolled for an extended period of time, the particulates in the vents can become a fire risk. Causing the ducts to spread flames throughout the HVAC system.


HVAC System Maintenance

An HVAC system is made up of many parts that need to be maintained in order to keep optimum performance. If the HVAC units are poorly maintained, a number of issues can occur that can range from an inexpensive fix to a fix in the tens of thousands of dollars.


Electrical problems are the most commonly lead to fire hazards. Older electrical connections can become loose, and can cause the furnace to work harder overheating and burning the wires. This can lead to a furnace fire. If you notice smoke or a burning smell emanating from the gas furnace, turn off your HVAC system and call a reliable technician to check the system.


Naturally a fuel leak is also a fire hazard, though without regular maintenance many home owners or tenants don't notice the leak until it is too late. The fuel used in an HVAC system is highly flammable, if it makes contact with the heating elements of the HVAC system the fuel can ignite and can cause a fire.


A damaged heat exchanger in your HVAC system is a major cause for concern. This can cause a carbon monoxide leak which can lead to many health issues for your tenants. It's recommended to do annual inspections of the heat exchanger to ensure tenant’s safety. 


Sewer Jetting

Getting your sewer lines cleaned out regularly is great as a preventative maintenance that can save you money and can help prevent sewage backups in the long term. Sewage backing up into the property is not only a health hazard for your tenants, it can be a financial hazard for yourself. As you may need to hire a plumber, replace carpets and potentially lose a tenant.


Generally speaking, you should have your sewer lines jetted every 18 to 22 months. This’ll keep your pipes draining smoothly and reduce the risks for clogged or broken pipes in the future. 


Maintenance should never be ignored, as it’s almost always better to prevent than repair. If you need help finding reliable tradesmen to do maintenance or aren’t sure where to start feel free to call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to fill out our
free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.


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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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