Keeping your rented home in tip-top shape

One of the many advantages of being a tenant is that there is less household maintenance to take care of than that which you would face if you were a home owner. This is because, in many cases, these issues are your landlord's responsibility to resolve. While the landlord is responsible for maintaining the structure of the property, however, it's up to you to take care of basic maintenance to keep the home liveable and in good condition. According to the Rental Housing Act, your landlord can claim compensation from you if there is damage to the property that is not classified as fair wear and tear. While maintenance issues are bound to crop up in any home, the good news is that there are many things that you can fix without needing to call in an expert.

Unclogging a basin or shower drain

A clogged basin or shower drain is one of those annoyances that every tenant is likely to face at some point. In most cases, this can be easily sorted out without needing the permission or assistance of your landlord. If the plunger doesn't take care of it, all you'll need is a wire coat hanger. By straightening out the hanger but leaving the curve of the hook unchanged, you can use this to delve into the drain and dislodge whatever debris has become lodged there. If some chemical intervention is needed, there are several home remedies that you can try. Since most drain blockages are caused by physical obstructions, start with the coat hanger, and make sure you have a packet handy to dispose of whatever may come up.

Cleaning an air conditioner filter

If you've noticed that an air conditioner isn't doing its job quite as well as it used to, chances are that the dust filters need to be cleaned. As the filter becomes clogged with dust, the air conditioner has to work harder and harder to push the cool air through it, and eventually it won't be able to keep up anymore. There's also a cost-saving benefit to keeping these filters clean, because as your air conditioner has to work harder to compensate for dirty filters, it will be using more electricity. 

With most air conditioners, cleaning the filter is a simple matter of removing the front plastic cover and taking out the filter. Once the filter is out, give it a thorough shake or brush. Many filters will even tolerate being cleaned with a gentle vacuum cleaner. Before putting them back in the air conditioner, make sure the filters are dust-free and completely dry. If the problem with your air conditioner was dirty filters, you'll be able to feel the difference immediately. 

Get rid of mould in your bathroom

Bathrooms are humidity zones, and it's common to start to notice mould building up on your ceiling or walls. This is not only unsightly - it is also a health hazard. The trick with mould is to act as quickly as possible. The first step is to clean the area with warm water and mild detergent. Once the area has dried, mix a quarter of a cup of bleach into a litre of water and apply this solution to the affected area. If the mould is on the ceiling, you can use a spray bottle to get the bleach solution onto the mould, but be sure to protect your eyes. For good measure, it is recommended that you do a second application of the bleach solution half an hour after the first treatment. 

Taking on these small household tasks won't cost you much time or money, and they can go a long way towards keeping your home in great condition. To find out more about renting property in South Africa, or to find your next home, contact the CSi Property Group today.