Rental Property Maintenance Tasks You Might Be Missing

Dustin Edwards • August 30, 2021

Small Maintenance Items Can Help You Save Big on Costly Repairs

Rental Property Maintenance
A vital component of operating your Long Beach rental is ensuring that everything on the property is in pristine and working condition. Broken or faulty items not only pose an inconvenience for your tenants, but they are also a potential safety hazard. Additionally, if interested tenants notice anything is disheveled or defective, chances are they will turn down your rental. 

However, there are times when even experienced landlords overlook certain aspects of their rental. As such, here are a few important property maintenance tasks that you might be missing. 

Sprinkler Heads
There are many reasons your Long Beach rental’s sprinkler heads may break. Most commonly, feral animals might tamper with them, or machinery (i.e. lawnmowers, bicycles, and cars) might come into accidental contact with them. Regardless, it is important to check on your rental’s sprinkler heads and ensure that they are intact and still working properly. 

If you find that one of your rental’s sprinkler heads is broken, replacing it is a rather simple and inexpensive process. Start by checking the top of the existing sprinkler head to determine the model (pop-up or impact), delivery rate (inches per hour or gallons per minute), spray pattern, and throwing distance. Failing to match any of these details can cause water leakage and damage to the sprinkler system. 

Once you know all these characteristics, you can find replacement sprinkler heads at Home Depot or your local home improvement store. 

After obtaining the replacement sprinkler head, dig a hole around the old sprinkler head, unscrew it from the riser pipe, and screw on the new sprinkler head. 

Then, you should test the sprinkler system and watch it for a few minutes to verify that the new sprinkler head works properly. If no leakage occurs, chances are your replacement sprinkler head is a success!

Washer Hoses
One of the most common culprits of house floodings is washer hoses. 

Many homes have washer hoses made out of reinforced rubber, which are dangerous because of their likelihood to burst. Not only would this pose an extremely horrible situation for your tenants, but it could also cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in water damages and refurbishment expenses. 

Instead of a rubber washer hose, consider purchasing a stainless steel washer hose. The stainless steel minimizes any chance of flooding by acting as a burst-resistant barrier. 

For an even greater safety measure, you can buy a stainless steel washer hose with an auto-shutoff mechanism. This additional feature will stop water flow if it senses any alarming changes in water pressure. 

Out of all of the above options, auto-shutoff stainless steel washer hoses are the best choice. Though they may be the most expensive, the added price is worth the peace of mind knowing that your Long Beach rental is safe from flooding. 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential and required items for your rental. According to the California Building Code, there must be one smoke alarm on every floor of non-sleeping rooms, one smoke alarm in every sleeping room, and one smoking alarm in every hallway that leads to a sleeping room. 

Similarly, California law requires at least one carbon monoxide detector in single-family residences. One should be sufficient for a one-story rental, but if your rental is two stories, consider installing one downstairs and one upstairs. 

It is important to make sure that your Long Beach rental meets these standards and that all the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operating. 

The best way to guarantee this is by replacing smoke detector batteries annually and carbon monoxide detectors biannually. By doing this, you avoid any false chirping, which poses an inconvenience for your tenants and might falsely scare them into thinking there is a threat. Additionally, this gives you time to check on all the detectors and see if they are malfunctioning or broken. 

Furthermore, you should replace smoke detectors around every ten years and carbon monoxide detectors about every five years because, eventually, the alarm sensors stop working. Leaving old detectors in your Long Beach rental can be hazardous as they may fail to save your tenants from catastrophic fires or gas leaks.  
Home Depot and plenty of other retailers carry a wide variety of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Window Screens
Torn and brittle window screens are not only unsightly and bring down your Long Beach rental’s curb appeal, but they also let in bugs, rain, and dust. 

Unfortunately, there is no clear lifespan for window screens. Therefore, you should keep an eye on your rental’s window screens and replace them whenever they become thin and start to develop holes. Depending on the amount of wear and tear they endure, window screens can last anywhere between five to ten years. It all depends on how you and your tenants care for your property. 

Home Depot carries pre-framed window screens of various widths which makes it easy to find replacement screens that best fit your rental’s windows. 

Adding these property maintenance tasks to your checklist will better your rental and foster happier 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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By Dustin Edwards June 6, 2025
With the real estate market as competitive as it is, many landlords are looking into building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Jr. ADU to improve their bottom line with additional monthly income. While this is a great way to earn more, you need to be sure you’re investing in the right upgrade to your property. Below are some of the key differences between ADUs and Jr. ADUs; this way, you can make the right decision for your property. Differences between Junior ADUs and ADUs On the surface, the primary difference between an ADU and a Jr. ADU is the square footage. However, there are many considerations for each type of ADU , significant differences include costs and build limitations. ADUs are generally seen as a larger and more versatile build when compared to a Jr. ADU. They can be built detached from the main home, converting an existing structure, most commonly the garage. In Long Beach, an ADU can be up to 800 square feet or 50% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller. For reference, an 800 sqft living space can be arranged as a 2-bedroom 1-bath home, though with creative use of the space, many investors have been able to fit 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms comfortably. If listing the ADU for rent is the goal, this can produce a higher yield, though at the cost of a higher initial investment. Jr. ADU, on the other hand, can only be a maximum of 500 sqft and must be built attached to the existing single-family home. While you can build an entire new addition to accommodate the Jr. ADU, it's not uncommon for homeowners whose homes are bigger than they need to convert a bedroom into a Jr. ADU in order to have additional income . A Jr. ADU does still require an efficient kitchen. Bathrooms can be shared with the main house, though this can deter some prospective tenants. Additionally, the utilities are oftentimes shared with the main house, which can simplify installation, though it can complicate utility costs with your tenant. When an ADU is Right Being able to build a full ADU provides an entirely separate and private living space, which is more desirable to prospecting tenants. This is the preferred choice for most investors, especially those who have unused space in their property. By being built apart from the main house, an ADU may cause less disturbance to those living in the main house, whether that be yourself or another tenant. In Long Beach, CA. ADUs can’t be listed as short-term rentals on apps like Airbnb; that being said, an ADU can command more in rent because of the aforementioned features. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, ADUs increase your property’s value while generating a consistent cash flow. Finally, if you ever plan on selling your rental property, the additional ADU can improve the appeal of your property to future buyers. When a Jr. ADU is Right While a Jr. ADU doesn’t have the same potential as a full-sized ADU, Jr. ADUs are far more budget-friendly. These are a great option for investors who have limited funds. Since Jr. ADUs generally require less work to be done in less time, allowing you to begin making a return sooner. Finally, if your property doesn’t qualify for a full-sized ADU permit due to the size of the property lot, a Jr. ADU can be built primarily through interior work, which may only require reconfiguring existing interior space. Whether you choose a full-sized ADU or a Jr. ADU, the decision depends on more than just the size of the structure, you’ll have to manage filling the vacancy and managing the new tenant. If you need help choosing which ADU is right for you 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 .
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 .
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