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Preparing Your Rental Property for New Tenants

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Maybe you’ve been running a rental property for years, or maybe you’ve just become a landlord. Either way, getting your space ready for the next renter is vital to the success of your investment and the safety of your tenant. Here are some of the most important areas to pay attention to when preparing your rental property for new tenants.

Electrical Fixtures & Switches

When conducting a walkthrough of the space, take special care to test out electrical fixtures and switches. Check for burnt out bulbs, flickering lights, and discolouration. Changing bulbs is easy enough to do, but flickering or discolouration will require having a professional to come in to take a look. These symptoms could indicate a larger problem such as frayed wiring that could lead to electrocution or fire.

Large Appliances

While you’re at it, do a quick visual check of the large appliances. Dishwashers, fridges, freezers, washers, and dryers should all have power and no charring around the outlets. Look for frayed cords or any other signs of deterioration. Perform maintenance like cleaning out the dryer vent, checking lint traps, and flushing the water heater. Malfunctioning appliances aren’t just inconvenient for your new tenants, they can cause costly damage to your electrical system.

GFCI Outlets

The National Building Code requires GFCIs, or ground fault circuit interrupters, to be installed in specific areas of every home. This includes kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even garages. When performing your walkthrough, ensure you have GFCI capability in all the required areas. Additionally, use the “test” button on the receptacles to determine whether or not they are in good working order.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

There is nothing more important than properly placed and functioning smoke and CO detectors when it comes to rental properties. Checking them in between tenants is the perfect opportunity to ensure they are up-to-date and working properly. The Alberta Building Code acts as the governing authority over these life-saving devices, so be sure to stay updated. Landlords must adhere to strict guidelines, such as:

  • Batteries must be replaced every year.
  • Smoke alarms must be replaced every ten years or as soon as the device stops working.
  • CO alarm must be present in any residential home with a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage.

Take full advantage of the time where your rental property is empty between tenants. It’s much easier to perform preventative maintenance than it is to repair a breakdown or mitigate a disaster while the space is occupied. If your property requires electrical repair, additional outlets, or smoke and CO alarm installation, trust the experts at 4 Star Electric to get the job done right within a manageable timeframe. Contact us today to get started!

Written by 4-Star Electric

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