Installing a New HVAC System in Your Rental Property

Ackley Florida Property Management - Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Property Management Blog

You’re a landlord, maintaining your property functional and in good shape should be a shared concern between you and your renters. Knowing what you're accountable for and what your renters are liable for, such as upkeep, substitutes, and implementation is a crucial part of the rental agreement.

When an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) machine is damaged in some manner, it can be extremely frustrating. HVAC repair or the more expensive HVAC replacement are the two most typical choices.

Maintaining these components to keep them in good working order will help you save money overall. Let's take a look at some of the most crucial HVAC care advice provided by property managers when renting out your place.

Begin with the essentials

You're probably already aware that lease agreements include clauses, restrictions, and terms. These spell out the tenant's and property manager's obligations. Take a look at the three key considerations around heating and cooling before you decide on particular terms:

  • Heating

All rental units must meet the agreement in order of habitability. This means they must have some form of heat. The specific requirements will depend on your state.

  • Ventilation

This is frequently overlooked owing to more immediate issues, but this is a blunder that could prove costly. The rental unit's air must be able to circulate freely. If it is unable to do so, issues such as mold, wood rot, pest infestation, and other issues may arise.

  • Air Conditioning

Even in humid Florida, landlords are not obligated to supply tenants with air conditioning. However, because this state is extremely hot for the majority of the year, it's unlikely that you'll be able to keep your units occupied if you don't provide this crucial convenience.

Developing Accountability

There are 3 main ways to split roles, as long as none of them violate state or local laws. Among the possibilities are:

  • Shared Payment

Property managers are increasingly turning to this strategy, and with good cause. You can share the costs between the tenant and the company with this option. This covers the cost of repairs, replacements, and routine maintenance for your HVAC system. It is advised that you utilize a professional HVAC company's service contract for regular maintenance and repair. This is to ensure that this solution advantages everyone.

  • Maintained by the Landlord

Another common alternative is to control the entire maintenance and installation procedure yourself. Most people choose to specify maintenance hours and charge more for anything done after hours as usual. You can cut costs by verifying that your rent matches the solutions you offer and acquiring a better service contract.

  • Maintained by the Tenant

If you believe the tenant should bear greater responsibility in this situation, you might have them compensate for small items like new filters and routine repair sessions.

Also Read: How to Protect Rental Property Investment

HVAC Maintenance

Regular HVAC upkeep can help you avoid unnecessary tension and costly equipment replacement. To do so, make sure you examine the property frequently. This will entail a thorough examination of the HVAC system.

This is because HVAC experts can detect and rectify possible issues before they materialize. Consult your state HVAC experts to put up a bespoke maintenance schedule tailored to your needs. This is important to keep your property's HVAC unit functioning correctly and successfully.