Every property will experience some wear and tear, but excessive damage in a rental property can eat into your income while also deteriorating the living conditions of your tenants. It’s critical to understand what is “normal” wear and tear and to seek to minimize such damage in order to keep your property.
It’s also crucial to know what constitutes regular wear and tear – and to make tenants responsible for any damage they create.
What Is Normal Wear and Tear?
Any form of damage or deterioration that is to be expected over the course of normal property use is referred to as normal wear and tear. Incidental damage, such as scuff marks or scratches, can be included as long as the action that caused them isn’t flagrant or irresponsible.
The following are some examples of wear and tear damage:
- Scuff marks on hardwood floors.
- Worn and/or faded carpet areas.
- Grout deterioration and dirt accumulation near floor tiles.
- Faded or worn curtains and blinds.
Damage not caused by regular wear and tear, on the other hand, includes anything done purposefully by the tenant (or the people and animals they host), as well as any damage caused by neglect.
Here are several examples:
- Holes in the drywall.
- Broken windows.
- Pet-related stains on the floor.
- Torn or missing curtains and blinds.
How to Cut Down on Wear and Tear
You can take a number of steps to lessen the impact of wear and tear on your property, including:
1. Purchase the right property
To begin, recognize that some homes will be more prone to wear and tear than others. Older properties, as well as those that haven’t been effectively maintained in prior years, are more likely to deteriorate with time. Prioritize newer, more substantial homes when searching for a home. Also, before allowing any renters to begin renting from you, conduct a complete inspection of the property and make any necessary upgrades.
2. Take ample photos
It’s crucial to take plenty of high-resolution images of the home before a tenant moves in, no matter what. In this manner, you’ll have recorded proof of the property’s condition when it was handed over to your tenants. It will be easier to determine the extent of the harm over time.
3. Screen your tenants
Not all tenants will respect or care for your property. Even if they aren’t attempting to cause damage to your property, they may be sloppy or irresponsible, causing greater damage than would normally occur. That’s why it’s critical to thoroughly examine your tenants before allowing them to move in.
4. Invest in routine maintenance
Make sure you invest in routine home upkeep. Even modest practices, such as changing the air filters in your HVAC system on a regular basis or keeping the exterior siding clean, can help your property last longer.
5. Resolve problems before they grow worse
If you detect any issues with the property, attempt to rectify them as soon as possible. Certain sorts of issues, such as worn shingles, can worsen over time and result in significantly more costly damage. It’s worth putting in the effort ahead of time to avoid this.
6. Work with a property management company
It can be time-consuming to screen renters, perform maintenance, and provide fixes for minor faults. You’ll have much more problems if your tenants are destructive or if you have to evict them. That’s why working with a property management company is a fantastic idea; for a little charge, they’ll handle practically everything on your behalf.
Your property will be damaged in some way over time, regardless of what you do, so there’s only so much you can do to prevent it.
How to Deal with Other Types of Damage
If you notice damage that isn’t the result of normal wear and tear, it’s critical that you hold your tenant accountable for it. The first step in this process is to have an open and honest conversation about the damage with your tenant and inform them that they are responsible for it. If everything goes well, they may offer to fix the damage themselves or write you a check for the repair costs. You may also be able to work out an arrangement in which they pay a small monthly fee.
If this does not solve the problem, you may need to escalate the situation. This may entail taking the tenant to a small-claims court or evicting them. If they’re already on their way out, you might be able to keep their security deposit.
The strategies outlined in this article will not completely protect your property from damage. You may, however, be able to significantly reduce the wear and tear on your property over time – and hold your tenants accountable for any damage that isn’t typical wear and tear.
Learn more from Buy & Sell and read about How to Begin with a Rental Property.
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