Perhaps you’ve been a landlord for many years and have many different rental properties, or maybe your just getting ready for your first tenant. Either way, assuring your home is ready for your renters is crucial for the success of your rental property and for the safety of your tenants. Here are some of the most important areas you should be paying close attention to:

Large Appliances

Dishwashers, fridges, freezers, washers & dryers; can be expensive to replace but with good maintenance they should be able to last many years. These appliances should all have power and no charring around the outlets. Check for frayed cords or any signs deterioration. Maintenance such as; cleaning out the dryer vents, checking lint traps, flushing the water heater are all great steps in assuring proper functionality long term.

GFCI Outlets

As per the National Building Code, GFCI(Ground fault circuit interrupters), are to be installed in specific areas of every home. Areas include, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even garages. Ensure you have GFCI in all areas required, and better yet push the “test” button on the receptacles to determine whether they are functioning properly or not.

Electrical Fixtures & Switches

Check for burnt out bulbs, flickering lights, or any discoloration on your electrical outlets, switches or fixtures. Changing out light bulbs is a simple task but when you have flickering lights or discoloration it is time to call a professional. These are signs of a larger issue that have the potential of causing an electrical fire.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

This is one of the most important devices to make sure is working properly and in proper locations when having a rental property. In between tenants changing is a great time to check they are up to date and functioning properly. Also checking them in the spring and fall even while the space is occupied is also a good time to check the functionality. The Alberta Building Code acts as the governing authority over these life saving devices, so be sure to stay up to date. Landlords must adhere to the following guidelines;

  • Batteries must be replaced once a year.
  • Smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years or as soon as the device has stopped working
  • CO alarms must be present in any residential home with a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage.

Preventative measures are much easier to take and address then to wait for something to malfunction while the space is occupied. For any electrical repairs, replacements or inspections; Proline Electric is here to help. Contact us today!


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