Each state, including Massachusetts, has laws and regulations surrounding maintenance inspections for apartment buildings and homeowner associations. A property manager will help schedule these inspections, ensuring that all elements of a building are working properly and are up to standards. When you enlist the help of a property manager for maintenance inspections, make sure they are checking up on these eight elements.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be tested monthly. Regular maintenance of these alarms can keep condo communities and tenants safe from a potential fire or carbon monoxide leak. To test both alarms, press and hold down the “Test Alarm” button located on the front panel of your alarm. If the alarm sounds, that means it is working. If no sound comes out, that means the alarm needs to be replaced.
Check on Plumbing
If unresolved plumbing issues arise, this can cause tenant dissatisfaction and disruptive situations for all tenants involved. To be proactive, it’s important to have plumbing inspections every one to two years where a technician will come in and perform a visual inspection of key plumbing fixtures and elements including faucets, drains, and water pressure.
Inspect HVAC Systems
Having a working HVAC system will help you in times of extreme weather from colder months to warmer, more humid months. A professional technician will check the air filters, evaluate airflow, test the thermostat, check electrical components, and monitor for any damage or leaks. This should be done at least once a year.
Look at Common Areas
For condos or apartment buildings with common areas, these common spaces should be inspected every couple of months for cleanliness, lighting, amenities, and any signs of physical damage.
Monitor for Pest Activity
Depending on the area and time of year, pest activity should be monitored monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly. A licensed pest control inspector will check for any kind of evidence (droppings, nests, trails, gnawed wood) of pests living within the property from mice, bugs, and other kinds of animals.
Examine Roofs/Gutters
Regular maintenance of roofs and gutters can prolong their life expectancy. They should be examined at least twice a year. Professionals will use ladders to access these roofs and gutters and will look for signs of damage like dents or cracks while checking where water is pooling and if it’s overflowing.
Inspect Elevators
To stay compliant in Massachusetts, elevators should pass an inspection every year. During an inspection, a technician will ensure that the elevator is running smoothly and efficiently. As elevators carry passengers, they must be working 100% properly.
Inspect Building Foundation
A building’s foundation is what holds everything together, and should be checked annually. A professional will examine the interior and exterior of the building and look for the following signs:
- Bowing walls
- Cracks in foundation
- Uneven floors
- Musty smell
- Water damage
- Wood rot in beam foundation
Let Thayer & Associates guide you through maintenance inspections where we will preserve the function and value of your property.