DIY home improvements can often go wrong, despite the best intentions. And they are on the rise today because more people than before are being encouraged by reality TV shows and burgeoning social media. Very often they give homeowners the impression that remodeling or repairing the interior of their homes on their own is a quick and easy affair. And this trend is not only popular with homeowners but also among renters as well.
Now, every landlord dreams of tenants who take care of the rental home as if it were their own home. But sometimes renters decide to take matters into their own hands. Often resulting in unwanted DIY “Home Improvements” that can go wrong with expensive consequences. By being proactive, Pembroke Pines Property Owners can prevent unwanted tenant “improvements” and help make sure their rental homes are kept in good condition.
DIY Home Improvements In Kitchens & Bathrooms
Quite often kitchens and bathrooms are the targets of DIY home “improvements” that can go wrong. Thousands of popular videos show enthusiastic DIY enthusiasts easily repairing and re-paint cabinets. In a matter of minutes, they seem to change faucets, and plumbing hardware, and replace complicated light fixtures. Other DIY improvements extend to tiled backsplashes and re-purposed fixtures on kitchen walls. With expert home improvement such kinds of minor remodels can end up creating a useful and pleasant workspace, with low costs.
But if the DIY adventure goes wrong, you run the risk of property damage and even loss of rental value. For example, if inexperienced tenants choose to hang wallpaper in the living room, they could easily destroy the painted surface underneath it. And worse still, a shoddy job could create a wall-to-wall eyesore that could be rather costly to restore. Besides, new tenants may choose other options on the market that do not require any working over or compromising.
DIY Home Improvements Gone Wrong
It’s a fact, that not everybody shares the same taste when it comes to home interiors and design. So, what one tenant may call a “Custom interior”, others may deem downright distasteful. And this can directly affect your ability to rent the home to a new tenant negatively. A particularly loud wall pattern or shade may appease your current renter, but your next renter may not share the same view.
Plus, if your tenant’s home DIY efforts result in injuries to themselves or damage to the home’s plumbing or electrical systems, it can create a whole new set of problems. Inexperienced DIY folks can very easily crack or damage a pipe while repairing it. Or damage the pipe whilst incorrectly replacing shower fittings. Or something even as simple as changing a leaking bathroom faucet. Resulting in bigger leaks and puddles on the bathroom floor, that may need to be handled by professional plumbers and workmen. And expensive or unnecessary repair bills, that otherwise would not have been called for, in the first place. The same applies to electrical DIF home improvements gone wrong, which can result in electrical shocks and serious injuries.
DIY Home Improvements vs. Maintenance tasks
Understandably, tenants should handle minor maintenance tasks and repairs around their rental property. However, landlords should discourage major repair jobs or modifications involving the remodeling of any of the home’s permanent elements. Infact they should include this in the official lease document and point it out to tenants, at the time of signing up. Another good idea is to perform regular inspections of your rental property. Not only does this help to keep an eye on the overall condition of your rental home but also addresses any repairs or modifications made by the tenant. As a responsible landlord, you should always encourage your tenants to maintain your rental property in the desired condition. And advise them to contact you for any major repairs or DIY modifications they may be planning to the property.
How We Can Help
At Real Property Management Premier, we can help with resident improvements and repairs to ensure the property is maintained appropriately. Our property management professionals have the necessary expertise and experience to handle all necessary repairs and maintenance tasks. Contact us online or call 954-800-4433 to learn more about our services.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
