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Everything You Should Know About Commercial Property Maintenance

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    Property maintenance is an essential part of keeping any commercial building in excellent condition. Failure to maintain the unit could leave it looking shabby or without vital services, hindering the company’s ability to do business at that location.

    Property maintenance often comes down to making minor repairs to keep a commercial building looking and functioning its best. It’s similar to home maintenance but on a much larger scale because commercial buildings get a lot more traffic.

    Property maintenance jobs could include small things like changing light bulbs and furnace filters, along with more extensive procedures like painting or replacing the roof or air conditioner. Completing this maintenance can prevent significant problems from occurring in the future by getting to them before they escalate.

    It’s up to property owners to ensure every commercial building is properly maintained, and tenants should include guidelines for what’s needed in any lease they sign. This guide will look at the importance of property maintenance and provide some tips for doing the job the right way.

    Why Commercial Property Maintenance Is Essential

    Landlords should be aware of their building’s maintenance needs because every property is different. Having a close eye on the situation can maximize the owner’s return on the investment by keeping the building functional well into the future. Here are a few reasons to make it a priority:

    Retain Tenants

    Renters won’t stay in a building that isn’t maintained. Your tenants are likely to look for somewhere else to conduct their business if you don’t stay up to date on the maintenance, and you could be breaking your lease agreement if you don’t complete the work. Happy tenants are likely to stick around, though, saving you the time and expense of finding new ones.

    Minimize Expenses

    It might seem like completing this maintenance is expensive, but it can actually save you money. Keeping your roof clear of snow and other debris, for example, can help it last longer, so you don’t have to pay for a new one. Countless small things around every commercial building can break, but maintaining them can keep them in better condition and prevent additional damage.

    Keep Things Safe

    Safety is an issue around every commercial property, but providing the necessary maintenance can minimize the risk of injuries. You could also find yourself with legal issues if you fail to keep the building safe enough for your tenants and their employees. OSHA has thorough guidelines for property management safety.

    Your property maintenance strategy will save you money and keep everyone who enters the building safer. The exact maintenance plan you follow depends on your personal preferences, however, as there are many ways to go about it.

    7 Tips for Maintaining Your Commercial Property

    Commercial Property Maintenance | Commercial Real Estate Services From The Genau Group

    How do you go about handling your property maintenance? Every building is different, but there are some tips most landlords should follow that take care of the basics and ensure the building remains in excellent condition. 

    1. Check Everything Periodically

    Doing a walk-through every few months is a great way to identify potential damage so you can handle the repairs immediately. This inspection doesn’t have to be thorough, but you should look at areas where significant problems could be forming. This routine job could help you prevent future emergencies that end up costing a lot. 

    2. Complete Routine Maintenance

    You’ll want to take care of some routine jobs every so often to keep the building functional. Things like changing the air filters, servicing the HVAC system, landscaping the exterior, checking the smoke detectors, and changing the batteries on select devices could help you prevent significant problems later. 

    3. Focus on High-Traffic Areas

    Commercial buildings get a lot of traffic, and some areas are busier than others. An office building with a central lobby, for example, will have every visitor to the property pass through, so the floors and walls could require extra attention. Focus your inspections and maintenance on areas with the highest number of people using them because they’re likely to require more work, and explore CAM fees as well.

    4. Repair Damage Immediately

    Take care of any damage you notice around the commercial property immediately before it has the chance to worsen. It might be tempting to put off a minor repair and wait until it becomes essential, but this could end up costing you more money, especially if a malfunctioning piece of equipment damages other parts of the building. 

    5. Monitor for Mold

    Mold can do extensive damage to your commercial structure because you’ll have to clean it thoroughly before people can use the building again. It could also be a sign of rotting wood underneath it. Keep an eye out for mold near your plumbing fixtures because you must address the issue immediately, and it could also signal a potential plumbing problem.

    6. Keep to Code

    It’s essential that the entire building is up to code at all times. Your maintenance program should focus on ensuring property as a whole meets your local building codes because legal problems could follow if you don’t.

    7. Get Assistance

    Property maintenance is a lot of work, so you might consider hiring a professional. You might find a single company that handles all the maintenance, including hiring subcontractors, or you could look for various contractors to complete the work for you. Hiring experts to handle the jobs is the best way to ensure they’re completed safely.

    These tips provide you with a framework for keeping your commercial building in a functional state. Tenants should be aware of these tips as well to ensure their landlords are holding up their end of the bargain. 

    Get Expert Assistance With Your Lease

    Businesses signing a lease with a landlord should always include maintenance provisions that keep the building in good shape. Failing to negotiate property maintenance conditions into the contract could leave you dealing with a run-down building sooner rather than later. 

    The Genau Group offers tenant representation services in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding region. Our team can assist by negotiating maintenance requirements into your commercial building contract and will hold your landlord responsible when these conditions aren’t met. Contact our team for more information on our commercial tenant representation services.