The upkeep of properties is a vital aspect of effective property maintenance and management, serving a wide range of purposes. Well-maintained properties tend to allure responsible tenants who are inclined to treat the premises with care. These tenants also often stay longer, reducing turnover and void periods for the landlord. Timely maintenance safeguards against deterioration and tenant frustration, averting an escalation of issues that could diminish the overall value of the investment. These safeguards also ensure legal obligation as the property will adhere to safety and habitability standards. Meeting these standards helps avoid the issuing of fines or legal repercussions to the landlord.
Routine and effective property maintenance can aid the identification and minimisation of minor issues before they become major, more costly problems. This, in turn, cultivates positive relationships and trust between tenants and landlords. Lastly, proactive maintenance contributes to making properties more energy-efficient, yielding cost savings for both landlords and tenants. Within property maintenance, two distinct approaches emerge: preventive and reactive.
Preventive Property Maintenance
Preventive property maintenance adopts a proactive approach, focusing on regular inspections, servicing, and replacement of fittings to prevent potential issues. This approach seeks to identify and resolve problems before they become substantial, offering a range of advantages. Addressing minor issues before they escalate can result in cost savings in the long run, and extended equipment lifespan. Systematic maintenance can improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness of appliances within the home, whilst also maximising safety and property value. Examples of preventive maintenance include regular inspections, equipment servicing, routine replacements, and software updates to any smart technology.
Reactive Property Maintenance
Reactive property maintenance addresses issues only when they manifest, often incurring higher downtime and potential disruptions to tenant living. Although it may be less expensive in the short term, reactive maintenance can lead to tenant dissatisfaction, impact equipment lifespan, and accrue higher costs over time. Examples of reactive maintenance include emergency repairs, unexpected equipment failure, and unforeseen structural issues that require repair.
Utilising RENT+
RENT+ serves as a comprehensive software solution for efficient maintenance and management, catering to both preventive and reactive maintenance. To aid in preventive maintenance, the RENT+ software can track inspections and store related information, such as EPC certificates and tradesman details. Generate reports or use the To Do Today screen to enhance your tracking of inspections due across all properties or provide automated reminders for schedule maintenance activities. When responding to reactive maintenance jobs, use the Tradesman Invoice Attachment plugin to track the progress of jobs, and increase transparency with the landlord through the automated invoice forwarding per financial period.
Email us at support@focus-property.co.uk or call us at 01865 766 241 to learn more.