The maintenance check between tenants

An empty unit is the easiest time to find the small problems a tenant may not report, like a toilet that runs silently, a dripping faucet or an alarm with a dead battery. As of 2026, the average household's leaks can account for more than 9,300 gallons of water a year, and many take only a few tools and parts to fix.

Safety

• Test every smoke alarmThere should be one in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level, including the basement.
• Check each alarm's ageReplace any smoke alarm 10 years after its manufacture date. Replace 9-volt batteries at least once a year, and the backup battery in hardwired alarms too.
• Test the carbon monoxide alarmsThey belong in a central spot outside each sleeping area and on every level.
• Clear the ventsCheck that the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace vents aren't blocked.

Water

• Read the water meter twiceNote the meter, use no water for two hours, then read it again. Any change probably means a leak.
• Dye-test each toiletPut a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Color in the bowl after 10 minutes means a leak, usually a worn flapper. Flush afterward so the tank doesn't stain.
• Look at the flappers' ageToilet flappers wear out. Replace them at least every five years.
• Check the faucets and showerheadsA faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year. Worn washers and gaskets are the usual cause.
• Look along the pipesCheck faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for water on the outside of the pipe.

Heating and cooling

• Change the air filterA dirty filter raises energy costs and can damage the equipment.
• Look at the condensate drainA plugged drain from the air conditioner, furnace or heat pump can cause water damage.
• Book the tune-up if it's dueA contractor check of the cooling system in spring and the heating system in fall keeps them running well. Contractors get busy once summer and winter arrive.