5 Worst Rental Maintenance Issues
All rental properties have maintenance issues… but some bring a little more hurt.
These are our Top 5 Worst Maintenance Failures in the southwest Pennsylvania region for being the most expensive or the most urgent. (The worst ones are both.)
For the proactive investor, we’ve rated these on a Dumpster Fire scale from 1-5 that considers expense, stress to tenant, and urgency.
Any maintenance items can become urgent, stressful, and expensive when they are neglected.
1. Tree Removal
Big trees create a charming place to live, but they have a tendency to stick their roots where they don’t belong (in your sewage line or foundation).
Trees can be a headache for rental properties when they are living, and they don’t go down without a fight. They eventually die standing, in all their dangerous glory.
Find tips for managing a problem tree here.
This Tree earns a 2 dumpster fire rating for the price tag and potential hazard, but it also usually allows for advanced planning.
2. Pipe Leak
A pipe leak refers to the break of a pipe or pipe connection due to age. Your insurance policy may “cover” the repair of the pipe (the cost probably won’t exceed your deductible), but the surrounding damage is probably not covered.
Pipe leaks fall into the “expect the unexpected” category. Sometimes components just fail.
Find more on how to manage a pipe leak here.
This pipe leak receives a three dumpster fire rating for being the least expensive (if found early), but also for maintaining a strong element of surprise (if you like bad surprises).
3. Roof Replacement
A roof replacement is a big expense that is rarely overlooked during a property purchase, often used to negotiate a sales price, and can be easily projected in your operating budget.
However, when it starts to fail unexpectedly, causing leaks and interior water damage, it will quickly become an expensive nightmare.
More about roof maintenance and replacement here.
This roof replacement only earns 3 dumpster fires because although it might be the most expensive, it can be negotiated in the sale price and offers ample planning time. A roof replacement can easily jump to a 5 if it is ignored.
4. Mold
Mold is caused by moisture and a dark, warm environment, and is one of our 6 Rental Problems that Cause Panic. Once it’s discovered, your tenant will need a quick response due to the potential health risks.
Since this is a symptom of an uncontrolled water issue, by the time mold is discovered, the underlying damage could be significant.
Find more about preventing and managing mold here.
This rental maintenance failure gets a 4 dumpster fire rating for urgency, stress to tenant, and potential for a high price tag.
5. The Sewage System Failure
The Sewage System Failure is one of our 6 Rental Problems that Cause Panic. Sometimes it will escalate slowly, and sometimes wastewater backs up in every drain like your house is possessed by demons (enter: panic).
A sewage system failure demands immediate repair due to loss of toilets and drains, and the potential health risk. It can also come with a steep price tag, starting at $5000 if the plumber has to dig.
Read more about this system here.
This sewage system failure earns a solid five dumpster fire rating for it’s urgency, stress to tenant, and high cost.
We may rate these “the worst”, but the worst part of any maintenance failure is not expecting it to happen. Regular maintenance, financial planning, and open communication with your tenant are keys to being ready for anything.
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