A rental property may belong to the landlord on paper, but in reality, both landlords and property managers share the responsibility of keeping it functional, safe, and livable. Tenants don’t run the building, they simply live in it. And every tenant expects the same basic things from a rental: working amenities, a clean and safe environment, proper lighting, functional HVAC, elevators that don’t break every other week, no mold creeping out of corners, no leaky ceilings, secure parking, and well-maintained common areas.
When something breaks, it’s normal, maintenance exists for a reason. But when the repairs are delayed, ignored, or done poorly, that’s when frustration begins. Small issues become big issues, and big issues become complaints, arguments, and eventually move-outs. In this blog, let’s break down the top 7 housing maintenance mistakes property owners and managers make that commonly lead to tenant complaints.
Most Common Maintenance Problems Tenants Complain About
1. Delays in Regular and Timely Maintenance
Tenants can tolerate the occasional inconvenience, but nothing irritates them faster than delays. If the HVAC stops working in summer, or the lift breaks down repeatedly, waiting days or weeks for a fix is unacceptable. Even small issues like a broken tap or faulty light, if left unattended, create a feeling that the property owner simply doesn’t care. Timely maintenance isn’t just about fixing things, it’s about protecting trust.
2. Hiring Sub-Par Contractors to Cut Costs
Trying to save money by hiring inexperienced or low-quality contractors almost always backfires. Cheap repairs rarely last. You end up dealing with the same issues again, tenants lose confidence, and the property starts showing visible signs of neglect. Quality workmanship matters, especially for electrical work, plumbing, waterproofing, and HVAC. Tenants notice when the job is done right, and they definitely notice when it isn’t.
3. Poor Communication With Tenants About Maintenance Needs
Many complaints don’t arise from the issue itself but from the silence surrounding it. When tenants report a problem and hear nothing back for days, they naturally assume the building management is ignoring them. Clear updates, realistic timelines, and simple status messages make a huge difference. Even if the fix is still in progress, tenants appreciate being informed instead of being left in the dark.
4. Not Respecting Tenant Time or Privacy
Maintenance work should never feel intrusive. Entering a tenant’s unit without proper notice, scheduling repairs at odd hours, or allowing workers to drop in unannounced is a major boundary violation. Legally and ethically, tenants’ homes deserve privacy. A simple message, “Our contractor will come between 2–4 PM tomorrow”, avoids a lot of conflict
5. Ignoring Preventive Maintenance
Many problems in rental housing don’t suddenly appear, they build up over time because preventive maintenance is skipped. HVAC inspections, plumbing checks, roof evaluations, pest control, and electrical testing must be done routinely. If these are ignored, you end up with burst pipes, leaking ceilings, mold outbreaks, or AC breakdowns at the worst possible times. Preventive care is cheaper, and far less stressful, than emergency repairs.
6. Failing to Maintain Common Areas Properly
Tenants judge a property not just by their unit but by the entire environment. Dirty hallways, flickering lights, broken mailboxes, unclean stairwells, untrimmed landscaping, or poorly maintained parking areas send a very clear message: “We don’t take upkeep seriously.” When common areas look neglected, tenants assume interior maintenance will be just as bad, and complaints shoot up.
7. Overlooking Safety and Security Maintenance
This is one area where property owners simply cannot afford to be careless. Broken locks, non-functional CCTV, loose railings, broken gates, poorly lit corridors, or malfunctioning smoke detectors are serious safety hazards. Not only do they make tenants anxious, but they can also lead to legal liabilities. When people don’t feel safe in their own building, complaints are just the beginning, they eventually leave.
Conclusion
Housing maintenance isn’t just fixing things here and there, it’s about creating a dependable living environment where tenants feel valued and protected. When landlords and property managers stay proactive instead of reactive, issues get resolved before they turn into complaints. Timely service, good contractors, respectful communication, and proper planning keep tenants satisfied and reduce turnover dramatically.
A well-maintained rental property doesn’t just look good, it builds trust. And trust is what keeps tenants staying instead of searching for a new place to live. You have not enough Humanizer words left. Upgrade your Surfer plan.
