When To Replace And When To Repair In Your Residences

A “shabby” space won’t do anything to impress prospective residents. In order to stay ahead of your competition, community management teams should know when it’s time to replace certain fixtures within a residence and when they can get by with a repair or refresh.?At OccupancySolutions.com, we have the answer to these questions when it comes to some of the most common appliances and other fixtures:

???Carpets –?Carpets are a big one when it comes to when to replace and when to refresh. Carpets can harbor odors, they can take on stains, and high traffic areas can start looking unclean prematurely compared to other areas of the carpet. When can the carpet do with a good deep cleaning, and when might it be time to simply tear it out and replace in a residence? A good rule of thumb to follow is to replace carpeting when a residence has been occupied for 5 years or more. If the residence housed pets, this time may be shorter but should be considered on a case by case basis. The lifespan of carpeting can be prolonged with regular deep cleaning.

???Appliances –?Stoves, dishwashers, and washer and dryer units are huge selling points for prospective residents, but this only rings true if they work. When an appliance breaks down, it’s important to consider the life of the appliance first before deciding to call maintenance or order a full replacement. Typically, if the appliance is 8 years old or older, maintenance may be more resource consuming than simply ordering a replacement.

???Water heaters –?Without a water heater, residents won’t have a livable space to call home. Before water heater experience significant breakdown, it is recommended they be replaced every 10 to 15 years. With a water heater failure, residents may be left with no hot water, or worse – serious leaks that lead to property damage.

???Air conditioners –?Like water heaters, a broken air conditioner in the middle of summer can leave residents without a livable home. Air conditioners should be routinely replaced every 10 years, but if the unit is less than 10 years old, it may be maintained with regular professional maintenance.

At?OccupancySolutions.com?we want to help you to keep your residents happy within your community. If you’d like to learn more about keeping your residences updated, contact us today.