Invisible Wear Adds Up

 

The invisible wear and damage to a property are often some of the worst. Too often, these issues are easily ignored or missed, allowing the problems to expand and compound. This is why it is critical to keep up on maintenance and why you must always look for these problems even if you cannot see them at first glance.

 

 Before letting new tenants into the property, be sure to know what state the house is in and keep a record of it to avoid losing disputes, should they arise. Always keep a comprehensive description of the property's condition, including pictures, on hand in case of a disagreement about the source of damage.

 

Hidden Wear and Damage to be on the Lookout For

Tenants' misuse of water and humidifiers can create the perfect environment for mold in corners, cracks, dark places under cabinets, and inside walls. Water damage is common in bathrooms where standing puddles in the bathrooms. Damage to the floor could result in water seeping through into the subfloor. This can happen in other parts of the house and result in water damage and wood rot.

 

Clogged or stuffed up drains and toilets. Though, invisible each should be tested for function and adequate drainage. Some draining issues are simple fixes that are just a result of use, but others may indicate obstructions and costly repairs or piping that may need to be replaced. Some of these issues may happen because tenants are flushing or dumping things into drains, sinks, and toilets that shouldn't be disposed of that way. Also, check the garbage disposal for proper function, draining, and damage for the same reasons. 

Check for hasty repair work to walls, wood floors, tiles, and carpet. Bad tenants will often make subpar repairs to things they damage or wear down to cover their tracks instead of informing the landlord about the issue.