Property Maintenance: Upkeep for Safety

What is Property Maintenance?

Property maintenance is the set of activities done in order to preserve a property, keep it safe, and maintain its good condition for the occupants.

HP Constructions defines property maintenance as, “the process of preserving a residential, commercial, apartment, or hospitality building and its immediate surroundings through a set of specific maintenance activities.”

When the occupants of a well-maintained property are safe and they feel that their needs are met in regards to what a property is intended for, effective property maintenance equates to a more satisfied occupant. The main goal of property maintenance is primarily about occupant safety and satisfaction.

What is a Property?

First and foremost, to start the discussion of property maintenance, the term “property” should be defined. Property is a term that pertains to anything that an individual or an entity has legal ownership over.

Types of Property

Any asset that is owned by a person, group of people, or entity is referred to as property in the broadest sense of the term. There are four main types of property:

1. Real Property – this involves land and building used for residential, commercial, and agricultural use. These are the properties used in real estate.

2. Personal Property – this involves properties that can be tangible and intangible, able to be transferred and are not attached to the land such as cars, tools, clothes, furniture, among others. This also includes properties such as patents and bank accounts.

3. Private Property – this includes properties owned by an individual or an entity and not owned by the government.

4. Government-Owned Property – this includes real property, resources, and other tangible and intangible assets owned by the government.

Among the four types of properties, those properties attached to the land are the ones that are referred to in property maintenance.

Types of Property Maintenance

There are different types of property maintenance which intend to keep a property functional and maintain its best condition. Here are the types of property maintenance:

• Preventive maintenance – is defined as the steps taken to track or detect failures, defects, or breakdowns before they could pose as bigger problems in the future. This type of maintenance usually involves routine checks or replacement of old parts.The following is a common list of what is involved in the preventative maintenance of a property:

1. Pest control

2. Inspections for water damage or leaks

3. Inspection of  shower caulk and grout

4. Roof and gutters inspections

5. Checking for cracks in ceiling or drywall

6. Replacement of air conditioner and furnace

7. Flushing of water heater

8. Inspection of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Planned maintenance – is defined as the same with preventative maintenance except that this is scheduled or planned.

• Condition-based maintenance – refers to acting quickly when an equipment or feature of the property shows early signs of failure before it totally breaks down.

• Reactive maintenance – refers to fixing a broken machine that needs repairs

Activities During a Property Maintenance

When it comes to property maintenance, there is a wide variety of responsibilities and requirements. They include activities such as:

• Cleaning the building’s internal and external common areas (including drains, roof gutters, corridors, cracks etc.)

• Cleaning or repainting of common areas

• Performing pest control and removal

• Gardening and landscaping

• Garbage separation and disposal

• Repairs and replacement for all mechanical and electrical systems (lighting, HVAC system, water supply, water heating, etc.)

• Safety inspections (e.g. fire systems and alarm systems)

International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)

The regulations and standards for property maintenance were specified in the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) standards for property maintenance. The minimum maintenance requirements for existing buildings are also set in the code.

The components in maintaining a building includes: structure’s exterior, plumbing fixtures, mechanical system, electrical fixtures, sanitary installations, and fire fighting equipment.

The IPMC is related to other International Codes (“I-Codes”), including the following:

1. International Building Code

2. ICC Electrical Code

3. International Energy Conservation Code

4. International Existing Building Code

5. International Fire Code

6. International Fuel Gas Code

7. International Mechanical Code

8. ICC Performance Code

9. International Plumbing Code

10. International Private Sewage Disposal Code

11. International Residential Code

12. International Urban-Wildland Interface Code

13. International Zoning Code

Importance

Here are a few of the benefits of maintaining your property well:

• Reduced equipment breakdown and failure – with property maintenance breakdowns and failures will be minimized – ensuring that there will be fewer incidences of abrupt system failure (e.g. the sudden stopping of an elevator).

• Prevention of liabilities – with property maintenance, equipment failure or breakdowns are minimized which results in reduction of accidents or incidents that may cause liabilities, legal problems, or fines.

• Increased property value – with property maintenance, a building or property will be well-maintained and preserved which helps in increasing its market value. Proactive inspections and repairs help property teams avoid growing deferred maintenance costs that reduce asset value and tenant satisfaction.

• Secured occupants – with property maintenance there will be fewer unexpected repairs, disputes, tenant grievances, which result in less stress and feelings of security.