How Preventative Maintenance Saves You Money on Your Rental

Preventative maintenance is one of the most effective ways to protect your investment property. While many owners budget for mortgage payments, insurance, and taxes, unexpected repairs can quickly dig into your returns, especially when issues escalate due to neglect.

In Canada, where seasonal changes can be extreme, staying ahead of property upkeep is essential.

The Cost of Deferred Maintenance in Canada

CMHC data shows that deferred maintenance is one of the leading causes of unexpected capital expenditures in residential rental properties. In a 2022 Rental Market Survey, Canadian landlords reported that reactive repair costs increased by more than 20% year over year, largely due to inflation in trades labour and materials.

Replacing a water heater that fails mid-winter or repairing damage from an undetected leak can cost several thousand dollars. These are expenses that often could have been avoided through routine inspection and scheduled servicing.

Financial Predictability and Asset Longevity

Routine upkeep helps owners spread costs more predictably throughout the year. Rather than reacting to breakdowns, we schedule general property checks and service appointments that reduce the risk of sudden failures.

Maintaining HVAC systems, roofs, and plumbing on a planned schedule can extend their usable life by several years. For example, regular servicing of a high-efficiency furnace in a Canadian climate can extend its lifespan from 12 to 15 years to over 20, according to the Canadian Standards Association.

Preventative Maintenance and Tenant Satisfaction

In competitive rental markets across Canada, tenant satisfaction directly influences vacancy rates. A 2021 survey from LandlordBC found that units with responsive maintenance programs had a 15% higher lease renewal rate than those that responded only when problems were reported.

Tenants are more likely to stay when they feel their home is being cared for proactively. It also sets the tone for how they treat the property in return, which reduces wear-and-tear and turnover costs.

A Systematic Approach

We manage preventative maintenance through a defined schedule that includes:

• Quarterly inspections
• Regular servicing of smoke detectors, dryer vents, furnace filters, etc.
• Proactive communication with tenants to catch issues early
• Documentation of all work completed

This system allows owners to maintain property condition, control long-term costs, and keep tenants satisfied with minimal involvement.

Preventative maintenance is not just about preserving your property, it’s about improving financial performance, reducing tenant turnover, and preventing stress. In Canada’s rental landscape, it gives owners a distinct advantage in both property value and operational efficiency.

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Get in touch with one of our experienced property managers to talk about how we can help you take care of your investment!