Maintenance matters
Category Newsletter: Article
Maintaining your property is vital to ensure its longevity, to keep up with market trends and of course to sell at the best possible price when that time arrives. In the meantime, it should also add value to what is arguably your most valuable asset.
When it comes to sectional title property, the law now recognizes this vital part of any property with provisions of a maintenance fund, but maintaining your property is not always just about the big stuff such as the exterior, the interior also matters especially if your property is rented.
You should undertake regular inspection of the interiors and make the necessary repairs before they become big problems. Small fixes like a light fitting or plug socket left unattended could potentially become a more serious problem and a costlier fix later.
A simple fresh coat of paint can bring new life into your home and increase the value of the property. What’s more important though is maintaining your property to ensure it remains safe to live in and structurally sound. This of course is critical when it comes to selling time too.
Often, fairly easy upgrades can make a big difference in making your home appear more modern. We have mentioned a fresh coat of paint (always in as neutral a colour as possible) as a starting point. Then, you can look at light fittings and flooring. If you have the budget available, you can move to more expensive makeovers such as new bathrooms and a new kitchen.
The exterior and the overall maintenance of a complex directly contribute to how potential buyers and tenants view the complex in terms of desirability and livability.
This will no doubt affect your property’s value. You could be in the most upmarket suburb, but if your complex is run-down and presents poorly, values will be lower than well maintained complexes in the neighbourhood.
Ongoing maintenance is also a very challenging and costly exercise that affects all owners directly by eating into their pockets more so now with the new regulations. You would want to ensure that your Board of Trustees chooses wisely when to spend money and what to spend it on. Regular maintenance is the key to avoid deterioration and costly repairs in the future.
On the coast especially, wear and tear takes place at a much faster rate because of the salt content in the air and of course the wind causes further erosion. Damp and mold is another problem on the coast. This should always be addressed immediately without just a temporary quick fix. Damp for example can escalate to a much bigger problem if left unattended. It simply spreads, causing more structural damage along the way.
Other aspects to always take care of include keeping your gutters clean and free of leaves and debris to deter water from backing up in the gutters and overflowing leading to water penetration in your property.
Properties on the coast are more at risk of water intrusion and serious damage so it’s important to check all windows and doors for gaps and seal them properly with a weather proof sealant to prevent water penetration. With wood and reclaimed design trending in many properties these days, it’s important to keep the wood, especially on the exterior of the complex, painted and treated to prevent softness and deterioration which can quickly become a costly repair.
Remember to monitor your roof for any damage or leaking especially after rain or high winds. Damaged roofs allow water penetration which inevitably leads to interior leaks. Check ceilings often for any signs of water penetration and look at the walls and the plumbing for signs of leaking. A musky smell in a property or a higher than normal water bill can also indicate that there is a problem.
Wherever possible, you should always consult and use credible service providers. Coastal Property Maintenance offers an internal maintenance solution offering a range of services including painting, waterproofing, plumbing, electrical, tiling and flooring, carpentry and more. If you are planning to build, renovate, or repair your home, be sure to also find out if there are any restrictions on the property. Sectional title properties especially have strict rules and regulations in place and require extra care and approval before embarking on any project.
Author: Carlos Pinto, Maintenance Manager
