Have you ever had random, unexpected rental property costs pop up as you tried to move someone into one of your rental properties in El Segundo? Getting yourself properly prepared for the many unexpected rental property costs that might arise can help you strategize and provide a better estimate regarding move-in times and budget the funds you need to prepare for your investment. The following will elaborate on the various elements that we have found that can come up when you are attempting to start up your property investment:
Cleaning
Cleaning can drive up some hefty unexpected rental property costs both directly and indirectly. You need to put yourself in the renter’s shoes to make the right decision about cleaning expectations. Would you move into the property you are renting out? Asking yourself this question can help you determine if your property is clean enough that you would trust your own family to live in it. If renters move in and observe that a home isn’t properly cleaned, it can lead to a bad first impression about you as an owner and of the property itself. They may request that certain demands be met, or they might leave it as it is but handle the property with less care and respect because they are only contributing to the value of the property that they originally felt it to be, which can lead to damages like dirty or stained floors, pest problems, and more unexpected rental property costs.
To solve the cleaning cost, you have two decisions to make. You could hire a professional cleaning service that can assist in all the deep cleaning and ensure that everything is in order before you move in your tenants. Another decision you can make is to do the cleaning yourself. However, cleaning can be time-consuming and expensive when finding the correct equipment and materials. Additionally, your efforts as a property owner in El Segundo could be better spent on other matters where a higher time value is present.
Home Inspection
Perform a home inspection to ensure safety for the tenants. Mold can be dangerous, cause health problems, reproduce quickly, and cause damages to the home, which can drive up unexpected rental property costs if it is not correctly handled. The key to finding mold is locating where it tends to produce – in spaces of excessive moisture. Conduct a thorough inspection and look for areas that have low air circulation, high humidity, and leaking pipes or appliances and find the dark spots or wet areas. You can also hire a professional to do thermal imaging to find the high moisture spots or to collect an air quality sample.
The key to warding off mold costs in El Segundo is moisture control. Instruct tenants to run the bathroom fan after a shower to ensure proper ventilation. Ensure that leaky faucets and pipes are immediately attended to. You can also make sure your gutters are cleaned out and that the water drains are directed away from the house to protect the foundation. Fire hazards are also another topic of consideration, which you can read more about here.
Structural Damage
Structural damage is anything that can affect the long-term structure/core of the property. This includes the foundation, roof, and support beams/walls. Windows and door frames are also indicators of the overall integrity of the home if they are sagging or tilting away or against the home. Cracks in the foundations or wood, hard-to-open windows or doors, pipes, wires, insulation, and rust can all be a sign if there is something that requires attention to maintain your home for long-term use.
If structural damage isn’t attended to, it can be extremely costly as the home may deteriorate or diminish. Before a tenant moves in, checking for structural damage can be effective in ensuring your investment holds its quality. It is advised that the sooner you repair something, the better, as unexpected rental property costs can add up over time.
Interested in learning about property management in El Segundo? For more information contact us online or call us at 310-535-2150 today.
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