Maintenance refers to the regular, ongoing care and upkeep of a property to ensure that it remains in good condition and functions as intended. This includes tasks such as repairing broken fixtures, painting, cleaning, landscaping, and addressing any other wear and tear.

For investment properties, proper maintenance is critical to preserving or increasing the value of the property and ensuring that it remains attractive to tenants. Failure to maintain a property can lead to a decrease in its value, lower rental income, and potential legal liabilities if the property falls into disrepair.

Maintenance can be a significant ongoing cost for real estate investors and must be factored into the overall budget and investment strategy. Some investors choose to manage maintenance themselves, while others may hire property management companies to oversee these tasks.

The maintenance of investment properties may be categorized into several types:

Routine Maintenance: Regular, ongoing tasks such as cleaning, lawn care, and minor repairs.
Preventative Maintenance: Measures taken to prevent future problems, such as servicing heating and cooling systems or inspecting roofs and foundations.
Corrective Maintenance: Fixing problems as they arise, such as repairing a broken appliance or fixing a leaky roof.
Emergency Maintenance: Addressing urgent and unexpected problems that require immediate attention to prevent further damage or ensure the safety of tenants.

In summary, maintenance in the real estate investment industry involves the essential care, repair, and management of a property to maintain its value, functionality, and attractiveness to tenants or buyers.