On the topic of property maintenance, always include major appliances in your property management plan. Quality appliances in your Playa Vista rental properties do appeal to renters, at the same time, they present as a significant expense in the future. When appliances are not properly maintained, they may fail faster and require replacement more frequently.
There are some suggestions landlords and tenants can take to make your appliances last longer in your rental homes. By applying a few simple precautions, you can be confident that each appliance lives up to its full potential. The first step to keeping an appliance running is something so easy but often neglected– reading the appliance’s manual. A good landlord will provide a copy of all appliance manuals and encourage their tenants to read them.
For individual appliances, basic maintenance can do a lot to improve their longevity. Case in point, refrigerators need their gaskets and coils cleaned on a regular basis. The gaskets are the plastic strip that forms the seal around the refrigerator door. Wipe down the gaskets to prevent gapping; it’s best to do this a few times a year. It’s also quite easy to clean the coils; open the cover and vacuum or use a soft bristle brush. If your refrigerator is the model that comes with filters, then setting up a schedule to change them for your renters would ensure that the task gets done properly and regularly.
Dishwashers also need to be given some attention regularly and it’s not difficult to clean the gasket with soap and water, yet this simple task helps make sure that this appliance stays watertight. Check the filter regularly and remove any debris. You should also make sure your dishwasher is level with the floor. The vibrations caused by an unbalanced dishwasher could harm the machine and your dishes. In addition to making sure the mechanical aspects are dealt with, you can also increase your dishwasher’s lifespan by running a hot water cycle with vinegar or a dishwasher cleaner every few months.
To keep your washers and dryers well-maintained, proper use goes a long way. Overloading the machines is the typical mistake many people commit and it is one of the major causes of breakdowns and poor performance. Loads that are beyond the limit of the machine put unnecessary stress on the motor, belts, and transmission, leading to rapid wear and tear. Advise your tenants to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations about load size. Also, dryer vents are to be examined and cleaned periodically to avoid buildup. When lint and debris start to gather in the external vent, it can lead to motor or thermostat failure; on top of that, it also creates a serious fire hazard. We recommend double checking the vents each time you replace the filters.
Even though these maintenance tasks are very simple to do, you still need to schedule time for them. Having renters help out is an important first step, but making sure they actually comply can be tough. Why not save yourself some time and expenses by calling on the experts at Real Property Management California Coast? We perform regular property evaluations and maintenance services. The scope of the service includes large appliance care, which saves you money by extending the lifespan of all major appliances in the home. If you want to know more, don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 310-535-2150.
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