Landlord's Guide to Property Maintenance

Megan Bullock / apartments.com • May 20, 2021

Maintaining a successful rental business often comes down to being prepared for the unexpected. You can thoroughly screen tenants, perform routine inspections, and charge competitively for rent, but these tactics won’t always guarantee success. Maintenance issues can happen at any time at any rental property and repairs can sometimes be tricky and costly. Because of this, property maintenance poses a threat to your rental income. To ensure you’re prepared, let’s dive into our landlord’s guide to property maintenance.

Move-In and Move-Out Maintenance

When one tenant leaves and another moves in, you’ll need to prepare yourself for move-in and move-out inspections, maintenance, and repairs. After a tenant moves out, the unit will need to be brought back to its original state for the next tenant to move in, especially if the prior tenant doesn’t leave the unit the way they found it. To stay organized, try out our nine step apartment turnover checklist to get your property in tip-top shape between tenancies. During the move-in and move-out process, there are a few types of maintenance tasks you should be tackling.

Basic repairs

If you haven’t found a new tenant just yet, it’s the perfect time to perform basic repair and maintenance tasks before marketing your rental. If you’ve already found a new tenant, you will be in a better position to avoid any potential vacancies that will cost you rental income. However, you’ll need to complete these basic repairs efficiently to ensure your unit is ready for move-in day.

Basic property repairs include deep cleaning the entire unit, washing windows, deodorizing carpets, checking smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and repainting where necessary.

Preventive maintenance

The move-in and move-out process is a great time to tackle preventive maintenance as well as basic repairs. This type of maintenance will help you fix small problems before they become bigger issues. Preventive maintenance may include checking the gutters, any included appliances, the septic system, the HVAC, and the chimney and fireplace (if applicable). There’s a long list to consider, but if you’re on a time crunch between tenancies, prioritize these five preventive maintenance tasks to keep your unit in good shape.

Property improvements

If your unit isn’t holding up well between tenancies, it may be time to make some improvements, repairs, and renovations to make your property durable and low maintenance. From switching the carpet to laminate flooring to replacing doors to installing easy-to-clean countertops, there are several property improvements you can make to ensure your property can hold up to long-term tenants or multiple tenant turnovers. Although renovations may cost you more upfront, these property improvements will likely save you in monthly maintenance and repair costs long term. Rental renovations can also increase the value of your investment, so you can potentially charge more for rent and increase your rental income. 

Seasonal maintenance

You should be performing routine property inspections, but there are certain maintenance and repair tasks that must be done seasonally. As the leaves change, there will be specific fall maintenance tasks to tackle, and shortly after, you’ll need to focus on the colder weather tasks like winterizing your unit. These tasks include cleaning the gutters, installing window seals and extra attic and/or basement insulation, maintaining the fireplace, using a water heater blanket, and changing the air filters. And when the weather warms once again, it’ll be time to tackle your spring maintenance checklist.

DIY Maintenance and Repairs All Landlords Can Do

Because all your properties will need maintenance and repairs from time to time, it may come in handy to have some basic skills, knowledge, and tools to handle certain tasks. Not every repair should require a professional; there are a few DIY maintenance and repair tasks all landlords can learn how to do.

Leaky faucets

Faucets wear out over time, and when they do, they have a tendency to waste water, which is why fixing leaky faucets in a timely manner is so important. Our guide to leaky faucets details the process of identifying the type of faucet you have, isolating the issue, and fixing the faucet based on type. You’ll have your faucet working properly again in no time after honing your skills with our go-to guide.

Lawn and garden care

If you don’t require your tenants to maintain the lawn and garden in the lease, the task is up to you (if you don’t want to hire a professional). To keep everything green, beautiful, and eco-friendly, check out our top lawn and garden care tips for DIY landlords.

Clogged pipes

Basic plumbing should be on every landlord’s DIY list, especially since plumbing issues are so common in rental properties. There are plenty of preventive measures to take to keep clogged pipes from reoccurring, including providing tenants with proper plumbing tools, avoiding harsh drain cleaners, and treating pipes regularly to prevent clogs.

Drywall patching

Fixing a crack or even a hole in drywall may seem like a big project, but it’s quite simple and is something you can handle on your own with a few tools, like a lightweight spackle and a putty knife. Afterwards, just repaint the area and your drywall will be looking good as new for your incoming tenant.

Removing mold and mildew

Mold and mildew can become serious issues in a rental property. The first step to addressing this problem is figuring out where the moisture is coming from, which is what creates mold and mildew. Physically removing the mold may be a large task, but it should still be simple. From testing the mold for toxicity to controlling the moisture, you should be able to remove the mold and mildew in your unit without professional help.

Maintenance and Repairs That May Require Professional Help

Even if you’re the handiest landlord you know, we all have our limits. Sometimes it’s best to hire out to trustworthy contractors to handle the job. By doing so, you may even learn a thing or two from contractors about how to fix maintenance issues in the future. For certain repairs, it may even be required by law to have a professional handle the job, so check your state laws before you tackle any projects that are outside of your wheelhouse. Although there are still many repairs you can do yourself, you may want to consider hiring a professional to avoid any missteps.

HVAC servicing

You can certainly check the HVAC to ensure it’s working as a form of preventive maintenance, but when it comes to servicing the HVAC system, you may want to hire a professional. HVAC servicing may end up being a bigger project than a DIY landlord is willing to take on.

Electrical maintenance

If your rental has electrical issues, it’s probably in your best interest to hold off on any DIY repairs and wait for a professional to assist you. Electricians are in business for a reason, so avoid attempting to fix your unit’s electrical maintenance on your own.

Water damage

Water damage can stem from overflowing toilets, a leaky appliance, burst pipes, or a natural disaster and can end up causing severe damage and mold growth. Although you can step in and stop the flow of water in most cases by turning off the main water supply line, there’s not much else you can do unless you have direct experience dealing with water damage. Do yourself, your tenant, and your rental a favor by calling in a professional contractor to help.

Roof maintenance and replacement

On average, roofs need to be replaced every 15 to 20 years. And even if you have a brand-new roof, you may not be in the clear when it comes to maintenance and repairs. Inclement weather can damage shingles or portions of the roof even if it’s new or in good shape. If any damage has occurred or if you wish to repair an older roof, hold off on any DIY maintenance and call professional roofers to do the job.

Removing termites

Routine pest control is a great way to deter pests from invading your rental. However, if termites find their way into your unit, simple pest control spray and bait won’t do the trick. A small termite problem can potentially be handled in a DIY manner, but anything closer to a termite infestation should be handled by professionals to prevent any further damage.

How to Manage Maintenance and Repair Requests Online

By listing your property on Apartments.com, you’ll have access to a full suite of rental tools that includes software used to manage maintenance requests and communicate with tenants about repairs. Through their account, tenants can request repairs from any device and provide you with the details you’ll need. They can even include photos and videos to their online request. Whether you’re repairing the issues yourself or hiring a service professional, you can easily update tenants about scheduled repairs through the portal. Stay organized by managing maintenance for all your units through your account and keep records of past requests for future reference. You can even attach receipts, add notes to yourself, and track related expenses. Your unit(s) will always need maintenance and repairs, and with Apartments.com, you can manage everything in one place.

Common Maintenance Questions

Not all property owners and managers double as contractors, so there’s a line that needs to be drawn between DIY maintenance and professional help. But there are many other maintenance topics to cover aside from who repairs the issue. Let’s go over a few additional maintenance questions that may be weighing on your mind.

How do I find a trustworthy contractor?

A good contractor is worth every penny, and a bad contractor will cost you much more. Remember that you’re looking for more than just a helping hand; you need a contractor you can rely on. Check out our top four tips for finding and hiring a trustworthy contractor.

How long should my appliances last?

If you plan to include appliances in your rental, you want to ensure they are low maintenance and durable, which is why it’s important to do your research before purchasing appliances. Check out the average service life of various appliances, as well as our tips and tricks for purchasing and maintaining appliances in your rental. And if it comes down to it, here’s the tools you’ll need for DIY appliance repair and maintenance. 

Should I charge my tenants a maintenance fee?

It’s not entirely uncommon for landlords and property managers to charge a fee for every maintenance request or repair. However, there are pros and cons to doing so. If you’re on the fence, check out the benefits of not charging a maintenance request fee or repair deductible.

Is a landlord or tenant responsible for repairs?

When it comes down to it, who is the lucky owner of the repair bill? First things first, check your lease agreement to see who is responsible for what. In general, landlords are responsible for anything that presents a safety issue or that breaks due to age or normal wear and tear. Check out our guide to learn more about what maintenance and repairs landlords and tenants are responsible for. 


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The AI Home Sale Story Everyone’s Talking About… Is Missing One Key Detail

By The Lighter Side of Real Estate • August 3, 2026
You may have seen the headlines making the rounds lately about a homeowner who supposedly sold his house using AI. At face value, it sounds like something straight out of the near future. Most of the headlines made it seem like the guy typed in a few prompts and AI handled the marketing, found a buyer, guided the negotiations, and just like that… sold. But if you actually listen to an interview with the seller, the story sounds a little different. He makes it clear that AI was more of a tool helping with pricing ideas, marketing, and understanding the general process of selling a house. He also openly admitted that he hired an attorney to review the contract. So, like a lot of things you see online, it wasn’t quite as simple as it was made to sound. And as it turns out… he had even more help than he let on. The Part That’s Not Getting Talked About According to this article from the National Association of Realtors , there’s a key detail that tends to get left out of the story. There was a real estate agent involved. Not representing the seller, but representing the buyer—and in the process, doing a lot more than just “bringing the buyer.” While the seller enlisted the help of an attorney, he still found himself needing timely help and answers. So the agent ended up taking calls from the seller on a daily basis, from as early as 7:30 AM to as late as 11 PM one evening, helping answer his questions and guiding him through the process. In other words, doing many of the things a listing agent typically does, in order to help her client successfully buy a house from a seller who didn’t know the process. The reality is, this wasn’t a case of “AI handled everything.” There were still several humans involved, and one of them was an experienced real estate agent helping navigate the deal. Headlines Should’ve Said: “Local Man Sells House for Sale by Owner” When you really stop and think about it, this really is nothing more than a story about a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) transaction. This is really nothing new. A percentage of homeowners choose to go that route every single year. Some have success. Most quickly realize there’s more to the process than they expected. The only difference here is the tool being used. Not many years ago, this headline might have read: “Homeowner Sells House Using the Internet!” People have used Google to find information, online tools to create marketing for their home, and websites to expose their home to the market. Today, it’s AI. Different technological innovation. Same basic concept. Because at the end of the day, technology can help you get in the game… but it doesn’t suddenly make you an expert in everything that happens once you’re in it. Then Again, FSBOs Are at an All-Time Low… According to the National Association of Realtors , despite all the technology available today, For Sale By Owner transactions are at an all-time low, accounting for just 5% of all home sales. So all of those headlines probably should have focused on the fact that he sold his house FSBO! That’s probably more accurate. At a time when sellers have more access than ever to information, marketing tools, and now AI, the overwhelming majority still choose to work with a real estate agent. That doesn’t mean technology isn’t helpful. It is. AI can give you ideas, help you understand the process, and even make you feel more confident getting started if you’re thinking about selling on your own. But there’s a big difference between having access to tools, and knowing how to navigate everything that happens once your home hits the market. Pricing strategy. Buyer psychology. Negotiations. Inspections. Appraisals. Timelines. The unexpected issues that almost always come up along the way. That’s where experience tends to matter most. So if you’re thinking about using AI to sell your home based on this story, just know there’s more to it than meets the eye—and a reason why most sellers still choose not to go it alone. The Takeaway: A recent viral story about someone selling their house using AI makes it sound like the future has officially arrived. The headlines make it seem like all you have to do is type a few prompts, sit back, and watch your house sell. In reality, AI helped with some of the early steps, but there were still plenty of humans involved—including a buyer’s agent who ended up fielding calls and walking the seller through much of the process. So what you’re hearing about wasn’t a fully automated home sale. It was a For Sale By Owner deal with some tech mixed in. And considering FSBOs are at an all-time low of just 5%, that’s probably the part that should have made the headlines.

The Best Way to Figure Out If a New Home Would Really Make You Happier

By The Lighter Side of Real Estate • August 2, 2026
It’s common to look around your current home and wish for something better. More space. A different layout. A better location. Fewer compromises. That feeling doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your home—or with you. Very few people live in a place that feels perfect forever, and it’s human nature to wonder whether a different home might make you happier. That’s why a recent article from Realtor.com about whether a new home can make you happier can feel a little…conflicting. On one hand, it suggests that buying a new home could increase happiness. On the other hand, it says it might not. It’s an honest take, but it doesn’t really help much. The reality is, there’s rarely a definitive answer. True happiness usually runs deeper than square footage, finishes, or a new address. But if you’re hoping for some real clarity about whether buying a new home will actually make you happier, there may be a place to look for answers that most people don’t initially think to turn to… Most People Start by Venting to Friends, family…and ChatGPT When people start wondering whether a new home would actually make them happier, they usually don’t start by talking to a real estate professional. They start by bouncing it off of the people (and tools) they have in their day-to-day lives, such as: Friends , who know your personality, your habits, and the things you’ve been venting about for years Family members , especially if you’re close-knit—or if they’re providing financial help and feel entitled to weigh in A significant other , since any move will likely impact their life (and happiness) as well ChatGPT and other online tools , are increasingly being used to run scenarios, compare options, or talk through pros and cons Even a therapist , where big life decisions like housing naturally come up Each of these can be genuinely helpful—and in many cases, necessary—to make a thoughtful decision. The problem is that taken together, they can also make the decision more confusing than clarifying. Friends and family often filter advice through their own experiences, regrets, or wins Loved ones may unintentionally project fears or expectations that don’t fully apply to your situation Therapists can help you understand how you feel, but not whether a specific home or market reality actually makes sense Technology can explain concepts, but it doesn’t know your local market, what’s truly available, or which trade-offs are realistic All of these perspectives may help you sort through what you think will make you happy. What they tend to lack, however, is true insight into real estate itself. But Very Few Think to Confide in a Real Estate Agent For many buyers, real estate agents are still viewed through a pretty narrow lens. They’re seen as the person who schedules showings, unlocks doors, writes up paperwork, and—if you’re being cynical—tries to get a deal done as quickly as possible. That perception isn’t entirely surprising, since much of an agent’s work happens behind the scenes. But the truth is, good agents bring far more to the table than they’re usually given credit for—and in many cases, more than they’re ever paid for. Of course, they handle the things most people envision: showing houses, marketing listings, negotiations, inspections, managing timelines, contracts, and all the moving pieces that make a transaction actually happen. But those are just the baseline skills. The real value often lies in what agents learn and refine over years of working with people, not just properties. They’ve watched buyers chase homes they thought would make them happier, but didn’t deliver long-term satisfaction. They’ve helped others find unexpected joy in homes they initially overlooked. They’ve seen decisions driven by emotion work out beautifully—and others unravel under the weight of unrealistic expectations. That experience gives them context that no article, algorithm, or well-meaning friend can replicate. Over time, many agents also develop a set of soft skills that rarely get discussed. They often become an unofficial mix of trusted real estate expert, confidant, sounding board, and—at times—something closer to family. Someone their clients turn to for an uncommon blend of personal perspective and professional insight, wrapped into one relationship. The Sooner You Loop in an Agent, the Clearer the Decision Becomes If you find yourself casually saying things like “If only we had a bigger kitchen,” or “I wish this house had a better layout,” or even half-joking with a friend about how much happier you’d be in a different home, it probably doesn’t feel like a moment that calls for looping in a real estate agent. But that’s actually when bringing an agent into the conversation can be most valuable! A good agent can help you sort through those early thoughts before you make an entirely emotional decision to move forward, or do nothing and cope with a feeling of unhappiness. That doesn’t mean your agent should entirely replace the advice of friends and family, but you should definitely consider adding them in as an objective advisor who also understands the emotional side of the conversation. The Takeaway: It’s completely normal to feel like a new home might make you happier—and sometimes, it really does. That’s why most people start by running their thoughts and feelings by trusted friends, family, or their significant other. Those conversations matter and can be genuinely helpful. But many buyers wait to involve a real estate agent until they’ve already made a firm decision to buy, when in reality, looping one in earlier can be far more valuable. A trusted agent can act as a confidant and objective advisor, helping you sort through emotions, expectations, and real-world possibilities. That early clarity can make all the difference between a move driven by hope alone and one that truly supports long-term happiness.

The Fear Nobody Talks About (But Many First-Time Buyers Feel)

By The Lighter Side of Real Estate • July 31, 2026
When people talk about why they’re not sure they can buy a home yet, they usually point to the obvious things. Prices feel high. Interest rates aren’t what they used to be. It sounds like every decent house has ten offers by Sunday night. All of that is real. And for some people, those factors genuinely do make buying unrealistic. But for a lot of first-time buyers, there’s something sitting just below the surface that they may not even be able to pinpoint themselves: the fear of getting pre-approved for a mortgage. On paper, getting pre-approved is simple. It doesn’t usually take that long. And within the real estate world, it’s treated as a basic first step — something buyers are somehow supposed to just know they should do before they even scroll through the photos of a listing online. What doesn’t get talked about nearly enough is how emotionally loaded that step can feel if you’ve never done it before. Because at a gut level, getting pre-approved can feel like asking a stranger to decide whether you’re worthy of buying a home at all — and if you are, how much you’re allowed to spend. For some people, that brings up anxiety, self-doubt, embarrassment, or a quiet fear of being told “no.” So if you’ve been thinking about buying your first home but keep finding reasons to delay that first step, it might not be about the market at all. It might simply be fear of the answer. The good news is you’re not the only person who feels this way — and with a little perspective, that first step is usually far easier and far less painful than it seems. Why Agents Often Don’t Realize How Scary It Can Feel Real estate agents ask prospective buyers whether they’re pre-approved early on in the process for practical reasons. They’ve seen deals fall apart because a buyer wasn’t financially prepared. They’ve watched people fall in love with homes they couldn’t actually buy. They know sellers take offers more seriously when a lender is already involved. And because agents live in this world every day, it’s easy for them to forget how intimidating that step can feel to someone doing it for the first time. To an agent, calling a lender is routine. To a buyer, it can feel like walking into a test they didn’t study for. None of this means agents are being dismissive or uncaring. Most simply don’t realize that what feels like a small, obvious step to them can feel enormous to someone else. That said, there’s no real way around it. Unless you’re buying with a large amount of cash, getting pre-approved is part of the process. Why It Can Be Scary for First-Time Buyers Some of the fears around pre-approval are very concrete: Is my credit good enough? Do I have enough saved for a down payment? Wait, how much money should I even expect to have for a down payment? What if the amount I’m approved for doesn’t match what homes actually cost in my area? (Or that I actually like enough to buy…) Those are reasonable questions. They’re also questions a lender can usually answer fairly quickly, often with more flexibility than people expect. But there’s another layer to this that doesn’t get addressed as openly. It’s the uncomfortable feeling that comes with handing over your financial life to someone you don’t know yet. Bank statements, debts, income—it can feel exposing. And if money has ever been a source of stress, shame, or insecurity for you, that vulnerability can hit harder than you expect. Many first-time buyers quietly worry they’ll be talked down to, rushed, or made to feel naïve. Or worse, that they’ll be told they’re not ready in a way that feels final or personal. The truth is, a pre-approval conversation isn’t a verdict on your worth. It’s a snapshot. It’s information. And in many cases, even a “not yet” comes with a roadmap that shows you how to get there. How to Find a Lender Who Is Good With First-Timers To be fair, not all lenders are the same. Some are fantastic with first-time buyers. Others may be completely capable of helping any buyer through the process, but lack a certain touch many first-time buyers would appreciate. One of the best ways to find a lender who understands the human side of this process is through a real estate agent. Agents usually work with multiple lenders and know which ones are patient, educational, and supportive—and which ones are better suited for more experienced buyers. Just as important, a good agent doesn’t wait in the wings until you’re “ready” to buy a home. They can be a sounding board while you’re figuring things out. Someone who helps you frame questions, normalize your concerns, and take the pressure off that first call or email. In many cases, agents are doing this long before anyone is touring homes or signing contracts—and usually without charging you for their time or advice. They understand that buying a home isn’t just a transaction; it’s an emotional decision layered on top of a financial one. The right agent and lender don’t judge where you’re starting. They help you understand it. And sometimes, just knowing you’re not taking that first step alone is enough to make it feel manageable. The Takeaway: While many people think that the thing holding most first-time buyers back are housing prices, mortgage rates, and stiff competition, there is often something hidden below the surface getting in the way for some buyers. While agents often look at it as a quick, easy, and fairly painless process, it’s often a scary process for first-time buyers because it can feel like you’re being judged and deemed worthy or not of buying a house. The reality is that getting pre-approved isn’t a judgment or a final verdict on your future as a homeowner. It’s simply a starting point. It gives you clarity instead of guesswork, and information instead of assumptions. And even if the answer isn’t exactly what you hoped for, it almost always comes with guidance on how to move closer to where you want to be. A good agent can connect you with the right lender who can make the process feel far less intimidating by answering questions, setting expectations, and having empathy for what it feels like to be in your shoes.
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