How Can You Control Rental Property Maintenance Costs?

Preventive care, reliable contractors and a maintenance reserve help Fraser Valley landlords control costs while keeping tenants satisfied.

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How can you keep rental property maintenance costs under control without lowering standards for tenants? For landlords in Chilliwack and Abbotsford, the answer starts with preventive care, reliable local contractors and money set aside for repairs. Durable upgrades and better maintenance tracking support that approach. The reason is straightforward: maintenance affects more than the repair bill. It influences tenant satisfaction, property value and profitability. Poorly managed repairs can lead to tenant turnover, prolonged vacancies and costly emergencies. Controlling costs means understanding how those expenses develop. Why Preventive Maintenance Can Save Money Preventive maintenance means inspecting the property regularly, servicing key systems and addressing small problems before they grow. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), routine preventive maintenance can lower annual property maintenance expenses by as much as 20% by avoiding emergency breakdowns. That is a possible saving, rather than a guaranteed reduction. There is an understandable argument for limiting maintenance spending: necessary work can quickly become a significant expense. But consider