Creating a rental property maintenance checklist for electrical, fire safety, and HVAC issues
No. 1 – Electrical Maintenance Checklist
Landlords should consider the following electrical considerations:
- Use a tester to verify that outlets are wired properly, that polarity is correct, and that they are grounded. In case of an unground outlet, an electrician should ground it.
- A licensed electrician should be consulted before replacing a fuse box or electrical panel.
- Your building’s wiring should be upgraded if it is older. Replace 2-prong outlets with modern 3-prong outlets so tenants won’t need extension cords or adapters. As soon as possible, it is important to replace any “knob and tube” wiring.
No. 2 – Checklist for Fire Safety and Prevention Maintenance
Your rental property can be made more fire safe by using the following steps:
- Smoke and CO2 detectors should be tested every time they are turned over and inspected. Whenever possible, wire detectors.
- Ensure that fire extinguishers are regularly recertified and check with your local fire department for information.
- Every unit above the first floor should be inspected for escape ladders during move-in and move-out.
No. 3 – HVAC Maintenance Checklist
Keep these routine tasks in mind with an HVAC maintenance checklist:
- The furnace filter should be changed regularly to maintain a free flow of air throughout the unit, which will ensure long-term efficiency and equipment longevity.
- It is recommended that HVAC ducts are cleaned every 3-5 years to improve air quality indoors. Tenants with dirty ducts may suffer from dust allergies.
Checklist for maintaining dryers, hoods, and fans
- The humidity in the air reduces the efficiency of the dryer vent, the grease in the kitchen hood, or the dust in the bath fan, which poses a fire risk. The following steps will help you fix them:
- Cleaning the lint screens after every load, as well as the vent pipes, is essential for keeping dryer vents clean.
- Maintain regular maintenance on the vents in your bathroom, kitchen, and dryer. You should run the bath fan covers and hood filters through the dishwasher every time they need to be replaced.
What you need to know
Maintenance must be performed on all electrical systems, fire safety systems, and HVAC systems in a property.
Keeping your tenants safe is not only important, but if you fail to address any faults in these systems in a timely manner, you may also find yourself incurring considerable costs. Rental maintenance checklists help landlords keep on top of essential maintenance, saving them money and headaches.