Renting offers several advantages which vary depending on the individual, ranging from location flexibility to affordability over a mortgage. Treating it like your own home will ensure your tenancy goes smoothly. We have curated some tips that will help you look after your rental home.
Make it your own
It's not uncommon to feel envious when you're saving for your own apartment or entering the real estate market, and wishing you owned the rental you're in. The good news is that you can live in a rental property and add your own style and flair without compromising any agreements. Utilising art, wallpaper and even plants to bring your personality in. Nowadays there are many products that are designed/optimised for rental properties. You can use removable wallpapers that don’t require paste or glue, picture-hanging strips and hooks with sticky backs to prevent any damage to the walls.
Know what you are responsible for
Rental maintenance is one of the most important landlord obligations that each property owner has. However, as a tenant, you have an obligation to take good care of the property by keeping your home clean and not causing any damage to the property. When it comes to maintenance issues, it can get confusing who is responsible for what. Your landlord is not liable for repair work until they are made aware of it, thus it is your responsibility to notify your landlord of any necessary repairs.
Establish a routine
Breaking down maintenance duties into daily, weekly, monthly and annual tasks can help you keep on top of everything, ensuring the home is looked after and you will be prepared for any routine inspections. Whilst tasks will depend on the home, we have provided a guide that can help you get started:
Daily
Do a check-in at night. Before you go to bed, make sure everything is back in its place and ready to go for the next day. If you see dirt, stains, or leaves on the floor, quickly vacuum, sweep, or wipe it up.
Weekly/Fortnightly
Walls, flooring, skirtings, benchtops, and power points must all be maintained clean and free of markings. All sinks, toilets, drains, bathtubs, and shower screens must be cleaned to avoid the accumulation of soap residue or mineral deposits, and any mould/mildew must be removed quickly. Wipe down the shower. It’s easy for grime and hard water stains to build up over time in the shower, so be sure to keep your shower clean each week to avoid having to deep clean set-in stains.
Monthly
Do a monthly mould inspection and wipe all surfaces with mould killer products or sugar soap. To prevent mould, ensure the humidity levels are monitored by using a dehumidifier. Air filters, fans and keeping windows slightly open can ensure a good airflow through the home and help prevent mould starting. Once mould starts, it will spread quickly and it will become harder to manage. So follow the monthly mould-prevention steps above to ensure you stay on top of mould spread. Check ceilings too, especially the bathroom, as this is often where mould starts. The renter will be handed a property that is free from mould and the renter is responsible for mould management and keeping the property free from mould. Dust air vents to prevent dust from flying into your rooms. Wipe down the next wall to eliminate any dust that has gathered. Remove streaks and stains from the interior of the windows with a glass cleaner. Doing this on a day with overcast can lessen the likelihood of streaks on the glass. Check that your smoke detectors are working correctly. If the batteries need to be changed, replace them.
Annually
Now that the new year has begun, you should pay close attention to all such locations and surfaces and carefully and properly clean them. If you haven’t looked behind your appliances yet, you should go ahead and do it now. Some air conditioning systems that have been idle throughout the cooler months may require service and new filters before spring to guarantee performance and indoor air quality. Spring is an excellent time to inspect your property's roof for damage from winter rain and winds, since this can help lessen the likelihood of future problems.
Get your bond back
Your goal is to be able to get your bond fully refunded. It is important for tenants to consider engaging a professional cleaning business to handle end-of-lease cleaning since it differs from their regular house cleaning. If there is a pest problem, you must arrange for pest management at least one month before returning the keys to the office and producing a receipt for the service. Ensure that all light globes are operational, as this is the duty of the renter. Otherwise, hiring an electrician to do this sort of work for them would generally cost a few hundred.
Enlist some help
Living in a rental property can be both exciting and challenging. While you may not have complete control over every aspect of your home, there are still plenty of things you can do to ensure it stays in tip-top shape. From leaky faucets to faulty appliances, it’s common to see the frustrations that can arise. That’s why getting help from a professional will save you from potential headaches. Grace Property offers routine inspections every six months. These inspections serve as a proactive measure to identify any maintenance or repair needs before they turn into major problems. Our trained professionals will carefully assess every nook and cranny of your rental property, ensuring that it meets all the necessary safety standards. By staying ahead of potential issues, we can save you the headache of dealing with unexpected repairs down the line.
Maintain your rental property with pride by taking good care of it. This will not only make you feel more at home, but it will also ensure the full return of your security deposit at the end of your tenancy. Our team at Grace Property are eager to help by acting as conduit for renters and landlords, managing inspections, leases, rent payments, legalities, and day-to-day obligations. We have the knowledge and experience to put any first-time renter at ease and guide you through the process effectively. Get in touch today!
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