Rental property damage is arguable every landlord’s worst nightmare and rightly so. Fixing damages can cost a lot of money over time, which is why it’s important to implement preventative measures in your rental to lessen future damages.
Remember who is responsible
The tenant would be responsible for damages that happen during their tenancy most of the time. However, this doesn’t mean that as a landlord you should shy away from ensuring the home is in good, habitable condition from the outset.
Invest in preventative measures
Rental property damage is inevitable, however, there are many things that you can do as a landlord to ensure your property isn’t constantly in a state of disrepair. As an example, this can include the type of paint used on walls. Opt for semi-gloss paint over matte or flat paint.
Flat paint often stains and scratches very easily, meaning that landlords are often left with the expensive job of having to repaint walls in between tenancies. Glossier paints are easier to wash, but any touch-ups made to the original paint job are very noticeable – so total repainting is still required every few years.
Create a thorough inventory report
Making a detailed inventory report of all the furnishings can significantly help when it comes to damages. The inventory report should include images and a description of all the furnishings in your rental property. Inventory reports are also a great way to record any repairs made throughout the tenancy.
Keep regular communication with the tenant
Depending on the person, reporting property damage into your landlord can be quite intimidating. Ideally, you would want your tenants to be as open and transparent with you as possible, especially when it comes to your property. Keeping up a good rapport is very important and will be beneficial in the long run.
We previously wrote about: 5 Red Flags for Landlords. Take a look here!
If you’re interested in or would like to learn more about our services, register here!