If you own or are responsible for a property, you will understand the uphill battle of staying on top of your estate management. The thing is, when it comes to property maintenance and management, prevention is always better than cure.
Small issues can end up becoming big problems if they are not dealt with early on. Then, they cost more and take more time to fix. That is why you must be vigilant, identifying the tell-tale signs of bigger problems to come.
At Smarter Services, we know a thing or two about estate management. After two decades in this business, it is only inevitable. So, we’ve distilled our experience and come up with ten ways of staying on top of your estate maintenance and management.
1. STAYING ON TOP OF FIRE SAFETY
Making sure your property has fire safety measures in place is not a ‘do-it-once-and-forget-about-it’ kind of task. Even the most stringent and well-installed measures might lose efficacy over time.
That is why it is essential that you inspect the property regularly, making sure your fire safety measures are within guidelines. If needed, you will also want to get certain features, like fire doors, inspected.
If you stay on top of the property’s fire safety maintenance, you won’t be blindsided by expensive fixes (or fines).
2. FIRE, SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM CHECKS
Smoke alarms are a legal requirement in any property that is being used as a residence. Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are required in any room that has a fixed combustion appliance.
These alarms should be repaired or replaced as soon as the landlord finds out they are not working properly. If not, they can be fined up to £5,000.
That is why it is important to regularly check your building’s alarms, ensuring that they are working as intended. If their batteries are running low, replace them as soon as possible. Keeping an eye on them will allow you to make sure your property and its occupants are always protected.
3. CHECK BOILER HEALTH AND INSULATION
Hot water and heating are amenities the landlord is obliged to provide. If the boiler is damaged or not working, and it was not the tenant’s fault, the landlord is expected to fix the issue within a few days.
Unfortunately, boilers have a habit of breaking down in the middle of winter, when they are being used most. And consequently, getting them fixed might take time because it’s ‘peak season’ and all technicians are busy.
That is why it is better to inspect and maintain your property’s boiler when the weather is warm, so you can catch any issues before they get a chance to become a problem. Then, you can get them fixed without having to face significant delays.
At the same time, also check your glazing to ensure it is not damaged. Broken double or single glazing can result in more energy consumption due to the heating having to work overtime. That is bad not just for the heating but also for the environment.
Summer might also be a good time to bleed your radiators, so they are working efficiently when the time comes to use them.
4. Pest control checks
Getting rid of a pest infestation can become quite an ordeal, depending on the pest. And, as always, it’s easier to deal with this problem if you catch it early on. Once you have a full-blown infestation, it can be more time-consuming and expensive to get rid of the critters.
That is why it’s advisable to include looking for signs of an infestation as a matter of course. If you spot animal droppings or other signs of unwanted wildlife in and around the property before they start causing destruction, you will be in a better position to nip the problem in the bud.
5. grounds maintenance – Green areas
As a property manager, you will know the importance of managing the green spaces around the building. Overgrown grass, hedges, or dying plants make the property look unkempt and abandoned. Also, overgrown lawns and gardens are prime breeding grounds for pests as well.
Another thing to consider is that green areas can start growing weeds if left untended. Weeds can spread rapidly and can be difficult to get rid of once they become established. If you have trees or wooded areas on the grounds, they may need to be pruned and any dead branches removed. And, if branches have fallen on paths, they may need to be removed to keep the walkway clear.
That is why proper and timely maintenance of green areas is essential. And it’s best to do it before things get out of hand.
6. Ground maintenance – Clean and tidy outdoor spaces
No matter how well you maintain your property, you may still find yourself facing vandalism, graffiti, and fly-tipping. Again, these reflect on the property and can affect its perception as well as value. These issues need to be remedied as soon as possible.
As a property manager, you must be aware of any such acts of defacement or littering and take action against them. Dealing with these promptly will ensure that the property and the grounds around it are always pristine.
7. Preventative maintenance – Electrics
If any electrical equipment malfunctions, it can be more than just an inconvenience – it can be dangerous. Faulty electrics can lead to a fire, and electrical fire can be difficult to put out. And that’s not even taking into account the cost of repairing the damage it might cause. To prevent such an incident, it is a good idea to include checking the electricals during your routine inspections.
That should include internal and external light fixtures, plugs and sockets, as well as any electrical devices installed on the property. Make sure the extension leads or sockets are not overloaded or have scorch marks associated with overheating.
Any electrical appliances should also be inspected to ensure they are working correctly. You may want to look out for a buzzing sound around them, which could indicate a potential problem.
8. Preventative maintenance – Leaks and moisture
Damp and moisture inside a property can be a health risk in addition to causing damage, which would then need to be fixed. For example, dampness can rot any wooden fixture, like floorboards. If undetected, damp can ‘eat through’ wood and leave black mould on walls. It can also be dangerous if it creeps around wiring, sockets, and switches.
In order to prevent it from becoming a bigger problem, make sure to keep an eye out for any signs of leaks in the property.
Also, invest in cleaning out the guttering, as blocked guttering can lead to water accumulating and seeping through the walls. Towards the end of autumn, when the trees have finished shedding leaves, it is a good time to clean the gutters. That way, you don’t have to deal with blockages and moisture during the cold, wet winters.
9. A fresh coat of paint
Painting, the walls of your property, isn’t just a way of keeping it looking fresh and new. It also acts as a layer of protection against the elements. And it can also cover up any mould as well as cracks. Giving the property a fresh coat of paint in the summer can prevent problems from developing over winter.
10. Communicate with tenants
As you can see, almost all ways of staying on top of your estate management rely on taking action before a problem becomes too big. However, you can’t be at the property every day, especially if you are responsible for more than one estate. That is why it is important for you to stay in touch with the tenants. They are in the best position to keep an eye on potential issues and can let you know as soon as an issue emerges.
Of course, if you’re a landlord and don’t have the time to manage your estate yourself, you should contact a comprehensive estate management service, like us, to do it for you. Whilst it might seem unnecessary, having someone stay on top of things will save you money in the long run.
If you want help with managing your property, give us a call. We will be able to help you with the upkeep of your estate, including building a relationship with your tenants.
