How to Maintain Your Rental Property

It is easy to assume that once you have a rental property in Malta you can just sit back, wait for tenants and then let the cash flow in. In reality, things are not that simple. In this short blog post, I will try to indicate how you can keep control of and maintain your property in Malta so as to avoid problems during the rental period.

1. Frequently visit your property

If your rental is still unoccupied, you have to make sure that it is in good shape. Therefore, you should visit your property for rent every week, open up the windows to let the fresh air in, check the water and electricity systems, and operate some of the appliances to keep them in good running order. 

Furthermore, you should check if any maintenance needs are to be made. It is important also to check if there are any leakages, if there are any postal items to be retrieved, and if the property needs cleaning. 

If you have a garden, then make sure it is not allowed to overgrow. This regular check-up will help you in the long term so that if you land a tenant unexpectedly, your property for rent in Malta will not be found unsuitable for immediate occupation. If you cannot keep control of your property single-handed, then get somebody to do it for you. A property manager can take over several roles, including maintenance, upkeep and security.

2. Search for the perfect tenant

If you are in the process of seeking tenants, screen possible tenants personally if you can. You will know if you want to rent out to young people or older people, locals or foreigners, on a short or long-term basis. 

The important thing during the renting process is to meet interested would-be tenants and gauge for yourself whether they seem reliable, whether they can afford to pay the property for rent in Malta, and whether they have any difficulty with respecting your criteria. For instance – you may decide to forbid your tenants from keeping large dogs in the house. If would-be tenants come to visit with a labrador, you know they are not suitable to stay in your property to rent.

Ask for real estate agents assistance

Finding a tenant is difficult and time-consuming. If you cannot manage the choice of tenants yourself, then get an agency to do this for you. A real estate agency in Malta, like RE/MAX Malta, offers concierge services such as advertising your property for rent, bringing people to view and screen potential tenants to see if they fit in with your criteria. Learn more, in detail, about why you should choose the right real estate agent like a RE/MAX Lettings agent. 

3. Rental contract clauses

If your rental is occupied, then your rental contract should have included a clause which stipulates that you have the right to visit the premises and check things fairly regularly as long as you advise your tenant accordingly ahead of your visit. Do allow your tenant enough time to organise him/herself. 

Be considerate of the fact that people might be ill or super busy or working longer hours than usual, and thus unlikely to welcome you at immediate notice. Make full use of this stipulation in your contract, so that you keep tabs on the way your real estate in Malta is being maintained and managed by your tenant. 

So, for instance, if the property is an apartment for rent in Malta, and the common parts are filthy, you can remind your tenant that he/she had agreed to share the tasks of cleaning with the occupants of the other apartments. If, for instance, you had stipulated that no washing be hung out on the balconies overlooking the facade, then you can make sure this is respected and remind your tenants of the alternatives. If there are things around your property which displease you, diplomatically and tactfully let your tenant know. Make sure your property is being respected and that damage is not happening through a lack of attention on the part of the tenant.

4. Invite tenants to notify any faults

Do invite your tenants to notify you of any faults or difficulties that materialise from time to time. When such notifications occur, do not ignore them and make sure you visit the property for rent in Malta to check out the problem. 

Sometimes appliances break down, postal items arrive unexpectedly, keys get lost, and petty issues with neighbours crop up. You are the owner of the property for let, so make sure you take care of each occurrence as it materialises. If tenants feel you do not care about your own property, they are unlikely to respect or care for it themselves.

5. Building good relationships

Lastly, building a good relationship with your tenants is key to a pleasant rental experience and positive feedback for repeat bookings time and again. This also applies to your tenants. Read more about some tips on how to build a good relationship with your landlord as a tenant.