If you possess an Apex rental property, sooner or later, your tenant will call you with a request for maintenance or repairs. It’s very important to grasp the best ways to respond to different tenant requests. If you are handy, there are possibly things you could attempt to deal with yourself. On the other hand, there are times when attempting to fix something yourself could make matters worse. To grasp well when to call in a maintenance tech, here are various questions you can use to assess the circumstances.
How urgent is the problem?
If your tenant has contacted you with regards to a repair or maintenance issue, you should first verify how urgent the problem is. Although your tenant may be distressed about a badly operating dishwasher or dripping faucet, these are maintenance items that do not need an emergency visit. On the other hand, if your tenant reports an issue that would make the property uninhabitable, you should take immediate action to solve the issue. Many examples count significant water leaks and damage or a non-functioning furnace or air conditioner. In these types of incidents, it is frequently ideal to ask professionals.
Do you know how to do it yourself?
If you have experience accomplishing maintenance and repair tasks, you may be an excellent person to react to a tenant’s request. This applies especially if the task is merely a quick one or something you already know how to do. But, repairing something in an emergency without the proper tools or know-how could spell catastrophe. Consequently, if you are either not certain how to rectify the matter or don’t have time to do it speedily, it’s possibly best to send a service technician to take care of it for you.
Is doing it yourself REALLY the best use of your time?
Another significant question to consider is whether going over to your rental property and completing repair and maintenance tasks is the best use of your time. Every hour you spend on property repairs and maintenance is an hour you are not spending on other things, whether managing your investments or spending quality time with loved ones. If you think of how much your time costs, it may be more economical to hire a service tech instead.
Do the repairs require a licensed professional?
Various maintenance and repair items are quite simple, do-it-yourself tasks, namely replacing filters or cleaning the refrigerator coils. Others, on the other hand, may need the services of a licensed professional. Such duties are either too dangerous or difficult for untrained Apex property managers to do themselves. Electrical problems, major plumbing problems, and burdens with an HVAC unit should all be assigned to a professional service technician.
Is regular maintenance being scheduled?
To keep your rental property in good condition, you have to ensure that regular maintenance is accomplished. If your tenant seems unable or unwilling to help you with some routine maintenance tasks, you will either have to do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. In any way, proactive maintenance is one of the effective ways to steer clear of those late-night emergency calls and closely monitor your property’s condition. By maintaining and replacing things before they break or wear out, you can reduce your maintenance and repair costs and keep your tenants glad, additionally.
If property maintenance and repairs are not your favored part of owning a rental home, we can help! At Real Property Management Excellence, we take advantage of a proactive approach to property maintenance. We similarly have access to a network of quality service providers who can keep your property in the best condition for less than you’d possibly pay on your own. Contact us online to learn more!
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