Common Maintenance Issues for Your Long Beach Rental

Dustin Edwards • November 4, 2021

Being Prepared for Common Challenges Can Reduce Stress

Garbage Disposal in Rental

As with any property, your Long Beach rental is bound to face some common yet inconvenient maintenance issues. Thus, you must be prepared for these problems and know how to fix them. This will not only save you time but also save you money on unnecessary and costly repairs. 


Below are some of the most common maintenance issues that landlords face and the best ways to remedy them. 


Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposals are very temperamental appliances that can have a variety of issues and cause your tenants unwarranted strife. 


Commonly, garbage disposals become jammed and, subsequently, cannot turn on or hum when turned on. To clear the garbage disposal, turn it off at the breaker box and free the blades with your hand. Remember to protect yourself with gloves. Afterward, remind your tenants that vegetable peels (especially potato peels), eggshells, fruit pits, bones, and non-food items should not go down the garbage disposal and will almost certainly cause feature jams.


Additionally, garbage disposals tend to smell over time, which may dissuade your tenants from using the sink. One way to remove the disgusting odor is by running lemon wedges and ice through the garbage disposal for a few seconds. The fresh, citrus fragrance can clear out any foulness. If that does not work, pouring baking soda and vinegar down the garbage disposal may help. 


Well-maintained garbage disposals can last for up to fifteen years. That being said, having numerous tenants come through your Long Beach rental likely causes added wear to all your appliances, including the garbage disposal. As such, you may need to replace it every eight years. 


Leaky Faucets

The sound of a leaky faucet dripping into the sink can be an irritating nuisance that keeps your tenants up at night. Furthermore, a leaky faucet that goes unfixed for any length of time can be a critical waste of water. 


Before repairing a leaky faucet, you should shut off the water supply below the sink. If there is no shutoff valve for the individual sink, turn off the property’s water supply. 

Then, you can remove the faucet handle. Start by identifying what kind of handle it is. If the handle has a set screw behind it, you can use a hex key to remove the screw. Conversely, if the handle has a top screw cover, you can remove the cover with a flat screwdriver and use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screw. 

Once you have successfully removed the screw, you can detach the faucet handle and now have access to the faucet stem. With a wrench, remove the faucet stem’s packing nut. Now, you can take out the faucet stem and replace it. If necessary, you can take the faucet stem to Home Depot or your local home improvement and use it to find a matching replacement. 


Before installing the new faucet stem, inspect the O-ring to ensure it is not broken. Afterward, you can put in the new faucet stem and reattach the faucet handle. Turn the water supply back on and see if the faucet is still leaking, or if there are any additional problems from installation. If you are still experiencing a leaky faucet, then there may be a larger issue that requires a plumber’s assistance. 


Broken Dishwashers

There are many reasons your Long Beach rental’s dishwasher may be acting up. Most times, these are minor inconveniences that require little or no maintenance. 


Most likely, your tenants will complain about the dishwasher leaking water during its cycles. Dishwasher leaks can have relatively minor solutions, such as using less detergent, stacking dishes correctly, or putting in fewer dishes. Perhaps the door seal is worn and needs to be replaced. The replacement seal can be identified in the owner’s manual.


Another typical issue your tenants may face is dirty dishes after a cycle. Similar to leaks, dirty dishes may be the cause of improperly stacking dishes or overloading the dishwasher. Additionally, the hot water stop valve under the sink may not be fully open. This means the water inlet valve may be clogged and needs cleaning. Clearing out the water inlet valve should allow your dishwasher to fill and heat properly, thus making your tenant’s dishes cleaner. 


If none of these resolutions work, then you may need to install a new dishwasher. On average, dishwashers last ten to fifteen years. However, as previously discussed, the constant turnover of new tenants shortens the lifespan of your Long Beach Rental’s appliances. It may also be beneficial to upgrade to an energy efficient dishwasher as they tend to be more reliable and more cost-effective. 


Having background on these common maintenance issues will make it easier to inevitably fix them for your tenants. If you need further assistance with caring for your Long Beach rental, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can fill out our Owner Application online.


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Beach Rentals Need These 3 Maintenance Items Before Summer Starts

By Dustin Edwards • May 30, 2025
Summer is a great time of year where people enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Though for landlords, summer brings with it a list of maintenance items and preventative care for their properties. Below, we’ve gathered three of the most important maintenance items to do before summer starts. Service your HVAC System Southern California summers are getting hotter and hotter, if you want to maintain tenant satisfaction you’ll need to have the HVAC or any A/C or cooling system properly serviced . Filters should be cleaned or replaced, and the ductwork should be inspected. For rentals with window units or mini-split systems should also be thoroughly inspected as well for optimal cooling. Doing proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of the cooling system breaking down during peak usage while also improving the system’s efficiency. This can lower utility costs for your tenants while extending the lifespan of your cooling system, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, consider inspecting your window and door seals for leaks. If the seals are broken, it allows hot air into the living space, this increases the cost associated with cooling while adding more load to the HVAC or cooling system. While not directly a part of the HVAC system, ensuring there aren’t any breaks in the seals helps extend the lifespan of your cooling system which is beneficial to your bottom line. Inspect your Roof The condition of a roof is oftentimes ignored since they tend to last over twenty years, and some property owners may not even be sure when the roof was last replaced . A poorly conditioned roof is one of the primary ways for a rental property to drive up the costs of repairs and tenant complaints. A damaged roof can inefficiently insulate a home, making it harder to keep it cool. It can also lead to water leaks during rainfall, which can lead to water damage, stains, and mold growth. While summers tend to be dry, the coastal cities such as Long Beach may see unexpected shifts in weather, which can bring sudden rainstorms or increased humidity. Fixing a small roof leak is relatively inexpensive, however, leaving said leak to grow can result in an emergency repair can cost thousands especially if a tenant has already moved in. A thorough roof inspection is a great maintenance item to do during a vacancy period especially as this can result in a positive experience with new tenants. This can lead to a long term stay with many lease renewals. Check for Signs of Pests Pest infestations are one of the fastest ways to ruin a tenant’s stay while also damaging a landlord’s reputation. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, other bugs, and rodents are common in many beach cities, especially during the warmer seasons. Being in a city, you’ll likely never truly be rid of pests, though, even a single complaint about an excess of bugs or rodent droppings can lead to bad reviews online, service calls, and in severe cases, lease termination. These pests not only create an unwelcome environment for your tenants, but they can also cause real damage to your investment property. Cockroaches are known to damage small wiring in appliances, ants can ruin food and get in everything, while rodents can chew through walls, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. Landlords should schedule regular ppest inspectionsto check for early signs of pest activity before the hotter season begins. Much like everything in this article, preventative maintenance is significantly cheaper than an emergency call, in this case to an exterminator. If you want to keep your tenants happy and your property well taken care of, preventative maintenance is a must. If you’re unsure about the signs to look for when doing routine inspections or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .

What Is A Solar Battery and Does Your Rental Need One?

By Dustin Edwards • May 27, 2025
A Solar Battery is an important party of a solar panel system. However, is it valuable for a rental property? Read on to discover.

If You Have These 3 Things, Consider Putting Solar Panels

By Dustin Edwards • May 22, 2025
As California becomes more and more electric, the idea of installing solar panels becomes more enticing for many landlords. While the initial investment may be quite expensive, there are a few things to consider before making the decision. By keeping these factors in mind, you can greatly reduce the overall cost of installation as well as reduce your operational costs throughout the lifespan of the solar panels. Below, we’ve compiled three considerations you should keep in mind before making your decision to install solar panels on your rental property. Long Term Ownership For landlords whose plan is to own their rental property for a long period of time, a solar energy system can be a strategic investment with long-term benefits. The longer you own a solar panel system, the lower the operational costs can be for your rental property. Unlike a homeowner, who sees their return through their energy bill. A landlord sees their return through lower vacancy rates and higher lease renewals. The initial expense associated with installing solar panels can be offset over time through reduced energy costs, improved property efficiency, and adjusting your property’s rent accordingly. Tenants are quite receptive to features that lower recurring expenses, such as their electricity bill. With so many people working from home, a lower energy bill can result in an improvement in tenant satisfaction , as well as reduced vacancy and turnover rates. The use of solar panels fits well in a long-term investment strategy that focuses on keeping operational costs low and reliable while improving your rental property’s value . Stand Out From the Competition In a competitive rental market, such as in Long Beach, CA. Features such as solar panels can help your property stand out to prospective tenants. Features such as solar panels can increase a rental property’s attractiveness to many tenants, though, specifically environmentally conscious individuals and younger tenants tend to gravitate towards rentals with solar panels more. Properties that are energy efficient appeal to renters who prioritize lower utility bills and more sustainable living conditions. These features may influence a prospective tenant’s decision when choosing between rentals of similar characteristics and space. Additionally, tenants who are interested in sustainability often care for the rental and follow the rules better than others. They are also more likely to opt into lease renewals. This means that solar panels can improve your bottom line through a more consistent monthly rental income due to the reduced vacancy and turnover rates. Your Roof is in Good Shape It goes without saying that your roof needs to be in a structurally sound condition in order to install solar panels. In general, a roof is expected to have a lifespan of twenty to twenty-five years, If your roof still has over fifteen years of proper functionality, it's ideal for installing solar panels without requiring additional costs for repair. If your roof is in good condition and won't require repairs in the foreseeable future, you’re far less likely to face problems that would require you to remove the solar panels temporarily. This can be expensive, which is why it's important you don't properly inspect your roof before making the decision to install solar panels. Installing a solar system on your rental property offers measurable benefits to your bottom line in reducing your vacancies and turnover rates, as well as keeping your rental property competitive in the market. If you’re unsure if your roof is structurally sound to install solar panels or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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