In reference to rental home ownership nationwide, learning and being aware of the state of each home’s exterior elements is just as critical as contemplating when to replace the carpet or repaint the walls.
Whether you’re renting out an older property or a newly built home, knowing the age of each item and how long it can somewhat be expected to last is an essential part of successful rental property management.
Importance of Maintaining Your Property’s Exterior
A good landlord or property manager appreciates the healthy lifespan of common exterior elements of your rental property. A product’s lifespan is the period it should last conforming to standard conditions. In particular: a quality cement patio holds out for upwards of 50 years because of the unbelievably durable nature of cement. That being said, wooden decks only last about ten years, given their sensitivity to the natural elements.
For quick reference, we’ve listed some common exterior items and their average lifespan:
- Garage Door: 15 years
- Automatic Garage Door Opener: 5-10 years
- Wood Fence: 10 years
- Stucco Exterior: 20-50+ years
- Vinyl Siding: 25 years
It’s integral to recognize how long an element is expected to last in your property, primarily if your tenant causes damage beyond normal wear and tear. For instance, if the vinyl siding, which is over 25 years old, gets damaged, the tenant shouldn’t be held responsible for the repair cost. Though, if the vinyl siding is less than 25 years old, the renter would more likely be held responsible for paying some or all the repair costs.
Stay Ahead of Property Damage
Rather than spend time and money on a senseless judicial process, the wise option to complete is to be ahead of property damage. With the correct information and a proactive system for property management, it’s certainly possible to manage and keep every single component of the rental home – both in and out– in a brighter state. Attentively replacing items at regular times beyond their serviceable lives is one way to avoid bearing the full cost of repairs because of tenant negligence. Another is performing regular property evaluations to mindfully monitor various areas of the rental home.
Real Property Management Apex extends a full property management program that includes preparing for the years ahead with maintenance plans, property evaluations, and a whole lot more. We have the equipment and know-how to attend to your Temple real estate investments, making them profitable for the imaginable future. Contact us online or at 254-732-1599 today!
Originally Published on March 22, 2019
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