Whether you DIY, hire a professional or do some combination of the two, maintaining your rental property is an important landlord responsibility and key to a successful rental business.

Here are 10 tips for staying on top of your rental property maintenance.

1. Establish clear responsibilities

A solid maintenance plan starts with a clear and comprehensive rental agreement. Typically, your renter is responsible for minor maintenance and regular upkeep. Landlords are responsible for larger projects and issues such as plumbing, heating and electrical. You are also responsible for taking care of regular wear and tear and prepping the property for new tenants. Make sure to establish emergency procedures so your renters know how to reach you and understand the time frame in which they can expect a reply.

Tip: Stock your rental with some extra light bulbs and air filters for new renters. It shows your tenants that you’re invested in their tenancy — which in turn may increase their motivation to take good care of your home and rent your property long term.

2. Set a baseline for the condition of your property

Before a new tenant moves in to your rental, document the condition of everything. Take photos or video and use a move-in checklist so you don’t accidentally miss something. This will help prevent disputes over damages, and it provides proof if you need to withhold a portion of the security deposit should the amount of damage exceed normal wear and tear. Wear and tear, such as scratches on the floor, dings on the walls or an older appliance needing repair is an expected cost of doing business as a landlord.

However, something like a hole in the wall, a broken window or damage due to pets is more than normal wear and tear and should be deducted from the security deposit. Be sure your tenant knows the condition you expect the property to be in when they move out.

3. Set up a preventative maintenance schedule

By adhering to a preventative maintenance schedule, you can catch minor issues before they turn into costly problems. Build a clause into your lease that requires your tenant to alert you to any issues in a timely manner, but consider scheduling periodic inspections. You can focus on some areas seasonally, such as checking the gutters in spring or making sure windows and doors are weatherized ahead of winter, but you’ll still want to look at the whole property throughout the year (not just when it’s time to get a new tenant).

Tip: Everything in your rental has a lifespan. Planning for this can help you budget and avoid bigger issues. If you know your refrigerator is nearing the end of its life, you can purchase a new one when you see a great sale.

4. Keep landscaping simple

Even if your tenants say they love to garden, it's a good idea to keep landscaping at your rental property as low-maintenance as possible. This way you won’t need to remind your renter to take care of the lawn (or end up taking care of it yourself). Consider adding native plants or installing (or enlarging) a patio. While it costs more upfront, you’ll likely save time and money in the long run. Your green-thumbed tenant can always purchase some planter boxes.

5. Standardize your property(ies)

Whether you have one property or ten, using the same paint, flooring, appliances and hardware can save you time and money by streamlining your maintenance process. Use the same color paint on the ceiling and walls. It makes repainting after a tenant leaves that much easier.

Tip: Some landlords let tenants personalize their properties with interior paint. Whether that is one accent wall or the entire house is up to you. This can help your tenant feel at home, and as long as you've included a provision in your lease agreement, you can potentially charge a fair fee for repainting the unit.

6. Keep receipts and document repairs

Landlording is a business, so certain maintenance projects and repairs may be tax-deductible business expenses. Make sure to keep all of your receipts and document the time you spent on repairs. Don’t assume, however, that your maintenance job will be a write-off, and work closely with a tax professional to ensure you are compliant with the law.

7. Make it feel like new every time

Before you rent out your property, think about the home you would want to live in. Every new tenant deserves a deeply cleaned, move-in ready property. If there is carpet, have it professionally cleaned and sanitized, especially if you allow pets at your rental. Also, consider removing the carpet altogether and replacing it with a durable floor. It will make cleaning your rental easier the next time someone new moves in. And don’t forget to change the locks.

8. Automate where and when you can

You may have the best tenant ever, but even the best of us forget to replace the batteries in our smoke alarms (after we remove them to get rid of that annoying beeping) or turn on the fan when we shower. Consider investing in fixtures with long battery lives or automatic features, like exterior motion lights, programmable thermostats, a bathroom fan connected to the light switch to prevent mold, or small solar lights to brighten a pathway. Some of these may cost a little extra, but it’s your responsibility to keep your tenants safe and your property hazard-free.

9. Know when to call a professional

You may be an excellent DIYer, but you still need to know when to enlist a repair professional. Be sure to know the location of your rental’s electrical panel and gas and water shutoffs so you’re ready for an emergency. Some states require that certain work such as HVAC, plumbing or electrical be completed by a licensed professional. Check with your local building authority to ensure you stay on the right side of their guidelines.

10. Have a rainy day fund

Even the most attentive landlords will tell you that things unexpectedly break — so make sure you have funds set aside for repairs. You may need to replace a large appliance or a water heater. Your tenant can’t wait a week for you to transfer money or figure out the best deal. Or, in more serious cases, you may need to find your tenant temporary housing or fix your property before an insurance claim has gone through so no further damage is done. Make sure your business is ready for the unexpected. Your tenant will remember (and tell their friends) how quickly you handled an emergency repair.