Property Maintenance
What Is Property Maintenance?
Property maintenance is the lease term that describes the services performed to preserve the condition of a residential or commercial property. The goal of property maintenance is to keep the property in optimal condition. It includes the following objectives:
- Perform services to help prevent and repair breakdowns of equipment
- Ensure the comfort and safety of occupants
- Retain or increase property value
The types of properties covered by property maintenance can include any asset owned by an individual, group of individuals, or other entity. The four primary types of property include:
- Real Property. This category involves land and buildings used for residential, commercial, or agricultural purposes.
- Personal Property. This type includes tangible and intangible items, ranging from transferred cars and furniture to patents and financial accounts.
- Private Property. This term describes property owned by private individuals or entities, not the government.
- Government Property. This term describes tangible and intangible assets owned by the government.
What Are the Types of Property Maintenance?
To keep a property in optimal condition and prevent any hazardous conditions in mind, here are the types of property maintenance
Preventive maintenance. This type of maintenance often involves routine inspections to detect failures, defects, or breakdowns before they become a bigger problem. Regular preventative maintenance may include the following inspections:
- water damage or leaks
- pests
- caulk and grout
- gutters
- roof
- cracks in ceiling or drywall
- air conditioner and heating
- water heater
- smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- garden and landscaping
- sidewalks and common areas
Planned maintenance. This term describes preventative maintenance that is scheduled or planned.
Condition-based maintenance. This service is performed when there are early signs that a problem with the property may be imminent. For example, an air conditioner may still be working but not cooling adequately.
Reactive maintenance. At this point, repairs are required. For example, an air conditioner blows hot air, or a furnace is not heating.
What Is the International Property Maintenance Code?
It is the responsibility of the property owner or landlord to ensure rental property maintenance to tenants. Each city has its own city code or compliance details, but owners must follow the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).
The IPMC lists minimum maintenance requirements that apply to occupancy, electric fixtures, plumbing, mechanical systems, building structure, and fire safety. A failure to meet code compliance may result in penalties or fines from the city government.
The Pros and Cons of Rental Property Maintenance
In addition to meeting code requirements, there are other benefits of performing rental property maintenance. They include
- Minimized equipment breakdown and failure
- Fewer legal problems
- Increased property value
- Satisfied occupants
The only real disadvantage of preventative maintenance is the cost of the services and the time involved in performing them. However, hiring an experienced property manager or property management team can reduce these costs.
Landlords should include the details of what tenants can expect regarding property maintenance in their lease agreement. The lease agreement should also include specific information on the sublet or sublease of the property.
Helpful Resources:
IPMC - 2021 International Property Maintenance Code
Realtor.com - What Does a Property Manager Do?
What Is Property Maintenance?
Property maintenance is the lease term that describes the services performed to preserve the condition of a residential or commercial property. The goal of property maintenance is to keep the property in optimal condition. It includes the following objectives:
- Perform services to help prevent and repair breakdowns of equipment
- Ensure the comfort and safety of occupants
- Retain or increase property value
The types of properties covered by property maintenance can include any asset owned by an individual, group of individuals, or other entity. The four primary types of property include:
- Real Property. This category involves land and buildings used for residential, commercial, or agricultural purposes.
- Personal Property. This type includes tangible and intangible items, ranging from transferred cars and furniture to patents and financial accounts.
- Private Property. This term describes property owned by private individuals or entities, not the government.
- Government Property. This term describes tangible and intangible assets owned by the government.
What Are the Types of Property Maintenance?
To keep a property in optimal condition and prevent any hazardous conditions in mind, here are the types of property maintenance
Preventive maintenance. This type of maintenance often involves routine inspections to detect failures, defects, or breakdowns before they become a bigger problem. Regular preventative maintenance may include the following inspections:
- water damage or leaks
- pests
- caulk and grout
- gutters
- roof
- cracks in ceiling or drywall
- air conditioner and heating
- water heater
- smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- garden and landscaping
- sidewalks and common areas
Planned maintenance. This term describes preventative maintenance that is scheduled or planned.
Condition-based maintenance. This service is performed when there are early signs that a problem with the property may be imminent. For example, an air conditioner may still be working but not cooling adequately.
Reactive maintenance. At this point, repairs are required. For example, an air conditioner blows hot air, or a furnace is not heating.
What Is the International Property Maintenance Code?
It is the responsibility of the property owner or landlord to ensure rental property maintenance to tenants. Each city has its own city code or compliance details, but owners must follow the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).
The IPMC lists minimum maintenance requirements that apply to occupancy, electric fixtures, plumbing, mechanical systems, building structure, and fire safety. A failure to meet code compliance may result in penalties or fines from the city government.
The Pros and Cons of Rental Property Maintenance
In addition to meeting code requirements, there are other benefits of performing rental property maintenance. They include
- Minimized equipment breakdown and failure
- Fewer legal problems
- Increased property value
- Satisfied occupants
The only real disadvantage of preventative maintenance is the cost of the services and the time involved in performing them. However, hiring an experienced property manager or property management team can reduce these costs.
Landlords should include the details of what tenants can expect regarding property maintenance in their lease agreement. The lease agreement should also include specific information on the sublet or sublease of the property.
Helpful Resources:
IPMC - 2021 International Property Maintenance Code
Realtor.com - What Does a Property Manager Do?