Property Maintenance
Building codes serve to ensure buildings are safe to occupy. But what happens as buildings get older and things start to break or fall into disrepair? This is where a comprehensive property maintenance code comes into play. A property maintenance code deals with the condition of existing housing and non-residential property, including commercial and industrial land uses.
On August 22, 2023, the Santa Monica City Council heard and approved an ordinance establishing new property maintenance standards. These standards apply to all properties in the City, regardless of zoning. The purpose of the property maintenance code is to provide clear standards that all properties, regardless or use or zoning, must abide by. Property maintenance codes are fundamental to ensuring safe and habitable environments for everyone that lives, works, and visits Santa Monica. These regulations serve as vital tools for maintaining community standards and public health and is one of the most common concerns addressed by the Code Enforcement Division.
Failing to perform property maintenance can result in serious consequences; thus, as you might imagine, there are several advantages to implementing a full-service property maintenance plan. These include:
- Reduction of equipment breakdown and failure: As with any type of preventive maintenance, building maintenance ensures that your buildings or properties experience fewer instances of failure. Regularly checking major property assets, such as HVAC units, elevators and boilers, ensures that your most costly equipment operates as optimally as possible.
- Avoidance of liabilities: If property maintenance is performed on a regular basis, this will reduce the number of onsite potential accidents or incidents, which will help owners steer clear of liabilities and lawsuits.
- Increased property value: A well-maintained rental property retains its market value. A property that suffers from neglect will inevitably decrease in value and detract from rental prices over time.
- Happy tenants: Tenant satisfaction means high tenant retention rates. They’ll also be more inclined to recommend your property management company to others looking for high-quality service. This will help you achieve or maintain full capacity in your buildings.
- Happier and more vibrant community: Nobody wants to live next to or near a dilapidated or unkempt property. If the properties are maintained in an aesthetically pleasing manner, neighbors, community members, and passersby will feel more content to be in that neighborhood.