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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Your Home May Be Part of the Great Wealth Transfer — But It Could Be Costly for Your Heirs

By KCM • March 21, 2026
The oldest living generation today is often described as sitting on a tremendous amount of wealth. Much of it has been built slowly over decades, and a large portion of it is tied up in real estate — homes where decades of life took place — paid down slowly, maintained carefully, and held onto for years. Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about how that wealth will eventually be passed on to younger generations, and how it could dramatically change their lives. Some of the headlines make it sound as though heirs are simply waiting in the wings, ready to receive an inheritance and turn it into luxury purchases, second homes, or dramatic lifestyle upgrades. It can create the impression that the next generation is counting the days until they receive the wealth that took a lifetime to build, and the ways that it will be quickly spent. But in reality, that picture doesn’t reflect what many families actually experience. For many heirs, the wealth they inherit doesn’t arrive as money at all. It is often in the form of a home. And it usually takes time, effort, coordination, and decisions that aren’t simple to make, especially during an already emotional period before the house provides them with any form of money to spend on their own. Inheriting a Home Can Actually Be a Financial Burden When someone inherits a home, they haven’t inherited cash that can be used right away. They’ve inherited a property that comes with responsibilities, decisions, and ongoing costs. Even before anything can be sold, there are practical realities to manage. Property taxes still come due. Insurance needs to remain in place. Utilities, upkeep, and sometimes association fees don’t stop when they inherit the property. And if the home sits vacant, those expenses can actually increase, not decrease. There are often administrative steps to work through as well. Settling an estate, navigating probate timelines, coordinating paperwork, or addressing title issues can take longer than people expect or can easily manage. When multiple heirs are involved, decisions can become more complex, even when everyone has good intentions. All of this means there is often a long stretch between inheriting a home and being able to access any financial benefit from it. In fact, that in-between period can be especially challenging because it may also require them to spend their own time and money in order to maintain the property, at a moment when they are already dealing with loss and transition. The Money May Be Helpful… Just Not Life-Changing The phrase “generational wealth” can create unrealistic expectations. While some heirs do inherit properties worth millions, many inherit homes with far more modest equity — especially once mortgages, liens, repairs, and selling costs are factored in. For a lot of families, the proceeds from selling an inherited home won’t fund a luxury purchase or dramatically alter their lifestyle. Instead, it may: Pay down lingering debt Rebuild savings that were stretched thin Cover education expenses Serve as a long-awaited down payment on a home of their own Provide a financial buffer during uncertain times All of that is meaningful. But for most heirs, their inheritance is more about stability than it is an immediate path to a high-end lifestyle often imagined when people hear “generational wealth.” It Might Be Difficult to Talk About, But It’s Worth It Talking about what will happen to a home after someone passes can feel morbid, premature, or even unnecessary. Many homeowners plan to live in their home for the rest of their lives, and updating it or thinking about the future may not feel necessary. So if this isn’t an easy topic to bring up, that’s completely understandable. But avoiding the conversation doesn’t make the responsibilities disappear. It simply passes them along to your heirs, who must navigate decisions, logistics, and costs while also coping with loss. Thoughtful planning doesn’t have to mean selling early or making major changes. Often, it’s as simple as understanding the home’s condition, keeping records organized, knowing its likely market value, or having a clear sense of what will need to be done — and by whom — when the time comes. As difficult as it might be, the most meaningful thing you can do for yourself and your heirs is to start open conversations now and discuss how the house will eventually be handled. The Takeaway: Headlines about the “great generational wealth transfer” often make it sound like an entire generation is about to become extremely wealthy and start buying luxury real estate. Some heirs may use their inheritance that way. But for most, the reality is far less glamorous. Much of the inherited wealth comes in the form of real estate — homes that need upkeep, management, and careful decisions before any financial benefit can be realized. Proceeds from selling an inherited home can be meaningful (paying down debt, rebuilding savings, or helping with a down payment), but they rarely become a life-changing windfall. For most heirs, it’s about stability, not luxury. Open conversations and thoughtful planning now can help ensure that when the time comes, an inheritance provides support instead of unexpected financial or emotional stress.

Should You Wait for Lower Rates?

By KCM • March 19, 2026
Should You Wait for Lower Rates? Mortgage rates have already dropped into the upper 5s twice this year. But after just a few days, they ticked back up into the low 6% range. If you saw that and thought, “Great. I missed it,” you’re not the only one. A lot of buyers are treating the 5s like some kind of magic number. As if moving from 6.1% to 5.99% suddenly changes everything. And from a mindset perspective, it does feel different. But here’s the part most people don’t actually run the math on. The Payment Difference Isn’t What You Think Let’s say you’re looking at a $500,000 home loan. At 6.1% , generally speaking, your principal and interest payment is roughly $3,030 per month. At 5.9%, it’s about $2,966 per month. That’s a difference of only $64 a month. Not $300. Not $500. Sixty dollars. Let that sink in for just a moment. Yes, over time that $64 a month can add up. But it’s far from the dramatic swing many buyers imagine when they say they’re “waiting for the 5s.” The psychological impact of seeing a 5 in front of your rate can feel big. The financial impact? It might be something you don’t even notice when it’s all said and done. Experts Aren’t Predicting a Big Drop Another important piece to think about: most housing economists aren’t forecasting a long-term return to 5% territory anytime soon. While rates will move up and down, likely hitting the high 5s here and there, the broader expectation is for mortgage rates to hover in the low 6% range this year, not stay in the 5’s or decline much more. While it certainly could happen, the reality is, waiting for a deep drop may not deliver the payoff you’re hoping for, if you’re holding out The Bigger Question to Ask Instead of asking, “Did I miss the 5s?” A better question is: “Does today’s payment work for me?” If the monthly payment fits comfortably in your budget, and you’ve found a home that meets your needs, the difference between 6.1% and 5.9% likely isn’t the deciding factor. It might be one of them, but it shouldn’t be everything. And remember, mortgage rates aren’t permanent. If they drop meaningfully later, refinancing is always an option. But you can’t refinance a home you didn’t buy. Waiting Might Feel Safe, But It Isn’t Always Strategic It’s natural to want the best possible rate. Everyone does. But sometimes buyers overestimate how much a rate in the high 5s will change things in today’s market. Don’t miss the fact that rates have already come down. A year ago, they were in the 7s. Now? They’re hovering in the low 6s. And for a lot of people, that percentage point difference that’s already here is the real game changer . If you paused your plans when rates were higher, now may be the right time to re-run your numbers. Not because rates are “perfect.” But because the monthly payment math might work better than you think, even with rates in the low 6s. Before assuming you’ve missed your moment, take another look at the numbers. You may find it never disappeared. Bottom Line If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for that magic number for rates, that strategy may not pay off as much as you’d expect. Let's connect so you can double check the math at your price point. You may realize payments are already within your range.

Spring Sellers Have an Edge. Here’s Why.

By KCM • March 17, 2026
Spring Sellers Have an Edge. Here’s Why. Homeowners looking to sell usually want three things: plenty of interested buyers, strong offers, and a short timeline. Spring is the season that most often delivers all three. So, if a move has been on your mind this year, this is the window where momentum tends to work in your favor. Here’s what makes this season so powerful for sellers. 1. More Buyers Will Be Looking Typically speaking, in the housing market, there’s no more popular time to move than the Spring. Historically, data coming out of ShowingTime proves that’s when buyer activity peaks each year. Take a look for yourself (see graph below): And this year, there’s more than just the seasonal trend working in your favor. Mortgage rates are also sitting near 3-year lows – and that combination matters. More buyers + improving affordability = more eyes on your house . That doesn’t mean the market will return to the frenzy of the pandemic – far from it. But it does mean more buyers will be ready to re-enter the market. And that’s good for you. As Redfin says: “Homebuying demand is improving . . . and mortgage-purchase applications are sitting near their highest level in three years. . ." You should make sure your house is listed so you can take advantage of the uptick in demand. Because more activity means one thing: more opportunity to get a deal done. 2. You May Get More Offers With more buyer demand, it makes sense that you may get more offers on your house. And history shows that’s usually true. If we look at the data for the last three years from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and take the averages for each month, it’s clear sellers in the Spring get more offers (see graph below): Now, don’t expect the excessive bidding wars that were so famous in 2020 and 2021. But it does mean, seasonality could help you out this Spring. As Realtor.com explains : “Spring typically brings out more buyers who are ready to make a move before summer. Listings see more views, showings, and offers during this season .” And that could be really good for your bottom line. 3. Homes Usually Sell Faster There’s one more predictable pattern that happens pretty much every Spring based on research from Realtor.com. Homes sell faster (see graph below): On average, homes sell 20 days faster in the Spring compared to the Winter. That’s almost 3 weeks shaved off your timeline. And that's a difference you can feel. Since homes have been taking longer to sell lately, listing your house during what’s usually the most active time of the year means you’re setting yourself up to move as quickly as possible. And isn’t that what sellers really want? The faster your home sells, the earlier you can move on to what’s next for you. If you’re eager to go on to your next chapter, need to downsize , or you’ve run out of space , Spring may be your best time to sell. Bottom Line Spring doesn’t guarantee a sale. Strategy still matters. But this season gives you something valuable: momentum. More buyers. More activity. More opportunity. The real question is: if you’re going to sell this year, why not do it when the odds are in your favor? Let’s talk about what selling this season could mean for your house and your timeline.
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