A Message From Your Landlord:
One of the big advantages of renting is that you don’t have to worry about maintenance costs. That being said, knowing how to proactively maintain the home or apartment you are renting can save you and your landlord headaches. The bathroom is an often overlooked place where stuff can go wrong if you don’t keep on top of maintenance. So here are a few things we thought we’d share with tenants about proactively maintaining your bathroom.
1. Don’t put things down the drain/toilet
Clogged sinks, showers, and toilets are issues that renters and property managers deal with all the time. Most clogged drains are backed up with hair–a little unpleasant but not too difficult to get out. Your tougher clogs are usually the result of something being flushed or washed down the drain that shouldn’t have been. Bottom line: if it’s not from your body, it shouldn’t be flushed or put down the drain. When in doubt, throw it in the trash rather than flush it. Also be sure to have both a sink and toilet plunger handy. Many clogs can be cleared by tenants on their own before they require a plumber.
2. Always report issues
Accidents happen, we know, so don’t hesitate to contact the property manager to report a bathroom maintenance issue. When you suspect that there could be a leak or constant running toilets, it’s important to let your property manager know ASAP. Even small issues like these can cause major damage later on and lead to very expensive water bills.
3. Use the exhaust fan
It’s easy to take a quick shower and forget to turn on the fan. Here in Florida we ask that you always use the exhaust fan when showering. It help remove moisture from the air and stops the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause health issues and is costly to remediate.
4. Ask before swapping out the showerhead
We get it. Everyone likes their water pressure a certain way.
Sometimes switching these out is no problem. But if you don’t install a showerhead right you can create a leak. We ask that you make a request to have a new showerhead professionally installed.
5. Don’t put weight on the towel bar/hooks
Towel rods and hooks are for towels and bathrobes only. In many bathrooms it’s not possible to install these using wall studs, which means that the weight that they can withstand is very low. Please remember to be light when using these things, they are not meant to be used as handles or to hang heavy wet laundry.
The moral of the story: A little proactive maintenance and communication with your landlord in the bathroom goes a long way in making your rental experience stress-free. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on renting and property management. If you have any questions about our blog or are interested in available properties, send us an email at: rent@knrpm.com
