Owning property is not only an investment, but also a service to the tenant. Providing a safe and secure place for a tenant to live is one of the most important landlord responsibilities and failure to do so could lead to people branding your property as a slum and you a slumlord. While inspecting rental properties, there are many maintenance items that are essential to meeting a landlord’s responsibility of providing a safe and secure place for the tenant. Here are five key items that must be on any rental property maintenance checklist.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
First and foremost, are there enough smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to match local codes and are they installed correctly? Smoke detectors are crucial health and safety issues that are required by law. It is the tenant’s responsibility to maintain a working battery in the smoke detector. Laws are similar for carbon monoxide detectors.
Heating:
Aside from smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, ensuring the tenant’s heat is working correctly is an important checkas well. Chicago winters can be brutally cold and Chicago summers can be just as bad with high heat; therefore ensuring the tenants have the proper equipment to keep their living environment comfortable is key to keeping a tenant long term. Additionally, Chicago municipal code specifically requires that from September 15th to June 1st rental units must be supplied with heat to maintain minimum temperatures of 66-68 degrees depending on the time of day.
Water:
Landlords are also required to provide water to rental units. Unsanitary conditions will quickly develop in rental units that lack water.
Doors and Windows:
Any rental maintenance checklist should also include checking the doors and windows of a unit. Windows and doors can shift over time due to the materials around them contracting and expanding from constantly changing temperatures in Chicago. Windows and doors can become warped and may need to be replaced. Doors and windows that do not open can not only be a headache for tenants, but could also be dangerous in case of emergencies. Ensuring that all windows and doors are up to code as necessary and operating properly will provide the tenant peace of mind that they are safe and secure within their space.
Appliances:
Finally, confirm that all appliances are working as intended. Appliances typically have a 10 year life but need to be inspected regularly to ensure all parts are working and safe. Broken appliances will surely frustrate a tenant upon move in. Inspect all of the appliances for cleanliness and damage and make sure that they are in good condition. For more information on rental property maintenance, contact us today.
