Maintenance Matters: The Three Essentials Every Landlord Should Know

Let’s talk about maintenance.

It’s not the most exciting topic, but it’s a crucial part of property management—and one that often gets overlooked.

There are three key types of maintenance, each with different planning needs and cost considerations:

Reactive Maintenance
- Happens unexpectedly—like a burst pipe or broken hot water system.
- Requires urgent attention, often outside regular hours.
- Typically handled by handymen, plumbers, or electricians.

Proactive Maintenance
- Planned in advance, usually on a 6- or 12-month cycle.
- Covers things like servicing air conditioners, maintaining roller doors, or regular gutter cleaning.
- Often scheduled with trades through a maintenance contract.

Long-Term Planned Maintenance
- Covers larger-scale upkeep, such as repainting every five years or a 10-year renovation plan.
- Involves bigger budgets and forward planning to manage costs effectively.

Understanding and implementing all three ensures a well-maintained property, fewer unexpected costs, and happier tenants.