Caring For Your Ageing Rental Property

Caring for an older rental property can be a lot of work and can be even worse if you ignore it. The key to looking after an ageing rental property is regular inspections (every 3 months), regular maintenance and upkeep and getting the tenants on board. 

 

According to Master Builders Australia, there are almost 11 million dwellings and of those, more than 55% are 30 or more years old in Australia.

 

Once a property is more than 30 years old, it often shows signs of ageing - propertys age slowly, and most of the potential problems gradually occur. 

 

Common ageing issues:

 

• Foundation issues such as subsidence.
• Cracks in walls, ceilings, floors or around window frames.
• Jamming doors and stuck windows.
• Water leaks and water damage.
• Deteriorating or leaking roofs.
• Poor drainage and waterproofing.
• Rising damp.
• Termite damage.
• Pest infestations (possums, bees, wasps, ants, birds and rodents of every kind).
• Mould and mildew.
• Poor ventilation.
• Decaying timber and dry rot.
• Peeling and fading paint.
• No, or damaged, insulation. 
• Outdated electrical wiring.
• Lead paint (found in most pre-1970 buildings).
• Asbestos (many pre-1982 buildings have some asbestos including linings of eaves, roofing, wall linings in wet areas and cladding).
• Plumbing problems such as leaking pipes or tree root incursions.
• Ageing masonry (e.g. deteriorated pointing or crumbling chimneys).
• Unsafe features such as worn stairs, loose handrails and uneven steps.

 

While some issues may require major works to be undertaken, such as upgrading electrical wiring or plumbing systems or replacing the roof, other ageing issues may be staved off with a little forward planning and on-going maintenance. 

 

Maintenance tips:

 

The need for upkeep is usually accelerated as the building ages.

 

To help prevent ageing issues becoming big problems which affect liveability or safety, landlords should:

 

 

• Undertake regular, preventative maintenance to help stop problems from occurring, for example checking for damage inside and outside the property – cracks, damp, salt damage, leaks, pests.
• Act to repair what needs to be repaired as soon as possible so the problem doesn’t get worse or more expensive, for example repairing leaking roofs, replacing cracked roof tiles and repairing roof ridging.
• Plan ahead for major maintenance jobs, for example painting, re-plastering and replacing insulation.

 

By performing regular preventative maintenance, landlords could save money by not risking small issues turning into big, expensive problems.

 

Supporting tenants:

While it is important for landlords and agents to be on top of repairs and maintenance, it is also wise to support tenants in caring for the property. Ask tenants to:

 

• Immediately notify you/your agent of any safety issues such as faulty electricals, gas leaks, plumbing issues or flooding. 
• Not wait for an inspection to inform you/your agent about issues such as damage to the roof, leaking pipes, overflowing gutters, loose handrails, damaged steps, lighting outages near stairs, damaged fixtures and fittings.
• Advise you/your agent of any concerns such as worsening cracks or water stains, mould, bubbling paint, sticking windows and doors, lifting floorboards, uneven paths.
• Keep the premises clean (to help limit the risk of pest infestation).
• Use exhaust fans or air bathrooms, laundries and kitchens to stop mould forming.
• Regularly check that drains are not blocked by leaves or other debris.

 

Disclaimer: This article is general information only