As a landlord, you will find that you are usually responsible for the majority of the costs relating to property maintenance and repairs. However, there are number of things which you can do in order to help keep these costs to a minimum.

1. 10 Property Maintenance Tips That Can Save Landlords Money
As a landlord, you will find that you are usually responsible for the majority of the costs relating to
property maintenance and repairs. However, there are number of things which you can do in order
to help keep these costs to a minimum. If you have bought a property as an investment, then you
won’t want to spend more than your tenants are paying you in rent to carry out repair work. With
this in mind, here are ten property maintenance tips which can save landlords money.
1. Electrical inspections – It is well worth having a qualified electrician carry out electrical
testing at least once every ten years. This will help to make sure that wiring and circuits are safe, and
help to prevent any electrical fire hazards. If you are supplying any electrical appliances, then these
should be safe when tenants move in to a property.
2. Check detectors – Even after an electrical inspection, you will still want to ensure that the
smoke detectors within your property are in good working order. Should a fire occur, this can be key
in helping to minimise the damage by raising the alarm as quickly as possible.
3. Gas appliances – Similarly, your property maintenance responsibilities are likely to extend to
the gas appliances which you supply as the landlord. A safety check carried out by a CORGI
registered tradesperson should be carried out annually to provide you with a gas safety certificate
(CP12).
4. External foliage – Whilst you may not be responsible for general garden upkeep, you may
find that you need to prune any plants or branches which grow up or on to your property. Without
regular maintenance, such greenery can cause moisture damage and invite unwanted insects into
the property.
5. Grouting – Over time, grouting between kitchen and bathroom tiling can crack or decay. This
may seem like a small problem, but if ignored it can lead to substantial water damage, which tends
to prove costly.

2. 6. Roofs and chimneys – Roofs should be checked for loose tiles and moss, whilst chimneys will
need to be professionally cleaned once a year in order to ensure that they are kept clear of bird
nests and creosote.
7. Drains – A routine inspection of drains and gutters doesn’t take long, but it can help to spot
any debris that needs clearing. Failure to carry out this quick check can lead to water damage.
8. Pest control – Even if your property does not suffer from a rodent problem, you will want to
look out for signs of damage caused by smaller pests such as ants and termites. It can prove
expensive to rid your property of such pests after prolonged infestation.
9. Paint – Paint isn’t purely a cosmetic touch – it can actually help to keep a property free from
rot and damp. If you’ve noticed that the paint on your property has started to peel, then don’t put
off repainting until damage has occurred.
10. Heating and air-conditioning – If you have a heating or air-condition system installed in your
property, then this should also be inspected at least once a year, whilst filters will need to be
replaced more frequently. This will help to ensure that such systems are able to run safely, as well as
efficiently.
At Sanctuary Maintenance we offer a wide range of flexible property maintenance and facilities
management services, designed to give you choice and value for money. Visit
http://www.sanctuary-maintenance.co.uk to learn more.