When Should You Repair Your Minneapolis Duplex Yourself?
If you listen to enough real estate investment podcasts over time, sooner or later, you’ll realize one thing: they never talk about repairs. I don’t mean the ones where the staff handyman just takes care of it in your 100 door apartment complex. I mean the ones you get to fix yourself when you’re first starting out.
If you own a duplex long enough, you will discover a universal truth: tenants don’t break houses—time does. And time has a short, predictable list of favorite targets.
Here are the 10 most common landlord repairs, why they keep happening, and how to fix them without spending every dollar of your cash flow. In all cases, for specific, hands-on advice, Youtube is always a terrific home repair resource.
- Leaky Faucets & Running Toilets
Why it happens: Cheap internal parts + constant use.
To fix it:
- Replace washers, cartridges, or fill valves—not the whole fixture
- Keep universal kits on hand (Fluidmaster is your friend)
- If you hear water running, fix it immediately—nothing will kill your cash flow faster than astronomical water bills
- Plugged drains and toilets.
Why it happens: Hair, grease, wipes-that-are-lying-about-being-flushable
How to fix it:
- Use a hand auger before chemicals. Pouring boiling water directly down the drain is also an environmentally-friendly option.
- Enzyme drain cleaners monthly for kitchens
- Add drain strainers and spell it out in the lease
If it’s backing up in multiple units, start looking at the main line.
- Furnace Issues
Why it happens: Filters ignored, annual maintenance skipped
How to fix it:
- Change filters every 3 months (or more often with pets)
- Annual furnace check before heating season
- Label shutoffs clearly—future-you will thank you
Preventative maintenance costs less than emergency no-heat calls at 11pm in January.
- Water Heater Failures
Why it happens: Sediment buildup, age, undersizing
How to fix it:
- Flush annually
- Replace anode rods (yes, really)
- Don’t oversize—bigger tanks cost more and don’t add rent value
If it’s 12+ years old, start budgeting now. Not later.
- Electrical Issues (Outlets, Breakers, Lights)
Old wiring, loose connections, DIY from 1987
How to fix it:
- Replace worn outlets and switches
- Install GFCIs where required
- If breakers trip repeatedly, stop guessing and call an electrician
If in doubt, hire an electrician.
- Roof Leaks
Why it happens: Deferred maintenance, flashing failures, ice dams
How to fix it:
- Inspect annually and after major storms
- Replace flashing before shingles
- Clean gutters like it’s your job (because it is)
- If you get ice dams in winter, you may want to have them revoved
Roof leaks don’t fix themselves. They just multiply.
- Window & Door Problems
Why it happens: Old wood frames, worn balances, settling
How to fix it:
- Replace weatherstripping first
- Adjust hinges and latches before replacing doors
- Repair sash cords or balances instead of full window replacement. Hint: it’s a lot easier than you think
Drafty windows doesn’t necessarily mean they need to be replaced. Often, weatherstripping will solve the problem for a lot less money.
- Appliance Failures
Why it happens: Tenants use appliances like tenants
How to fix it:
- Stick to basic, landlord-grade models.
- Keep spare parts (igniters, heating elements)
- Replace when repairs exceed 50% of replacement cost
White appliances rent just as well as stainless in a duplex.
- Flooring Damage
Why it happens: Water, pets, rolling chairs, gravity
How to fix it:
- Use LVP or sheet vinyl in rentals
- Spot-repair planks instead of replacing rooms
- Never install carpet where water exists
Flooring is a wear and tear item. Plan for it emotionally and financially.
- Exterior Maintenance (Siding, Steps, Railings)
Why it happens: Weather, neglect, Minnesota being Minnesota
How to fix it:
- Annual exterior walk-around
- Tighten railings immediately (liability alert)
- Patch small siding issues before moisture gets behind them
The outside sells the inside—and keeps inspectors calm.
Most landlord repairs aren’t disasters. They’re predictable expenses that punish procrastination and reward systems.
If you:
- Keep a maintenance calendar
- Stock basic parts
- Fix small problems early
…your duplex will quietly pay you back for decades.