Maintenance requests are an inevitable reality for any property owner, whether you’re a landlord, property manager, or both. The best way to make sure you don’t get swamped dealing with maintenance requests is to take proactive steps, like making sure all your maintenance equipment is in working order, and that your employees are trained and ready to handle any issue that presents itself.
As a landlord, you want to be sure that your properties are as well maintained as possible. You should also make sure that you comply with all local laws and regulations, in case you are audited. Here are some tips on how to handle maintenance requests.
Keep All Repairs and Requests in Writing
It’s always a good idea to document all requests for repairs and maintenance in writing. Many rental agreement leases include a clause requiring you to submit written requests for maintenance. Verbal requests for maintenance may get ignored or forgotten. The best way to ensure that the request is handled properly is by putting it in writing.
Have a Plan
Although most of your tenants will be happy with your services, every property will have its own set of problems. In order to ensure problems never get out of hand, it’s important to schedule routine checkups every couple of months. Ideally, routine checkups should take place before a tenant even realizes there is a problem. Regardless of the size of your property, someone needs to be in charge of keeping an eye on maintenance issues, and scheduling routine checkups is the best way to make sure those issues never get out of hand.
Know the Law
Building maintenance issues are unpleasant and, if left unaddressed, can lead to bigger problems. If you’re a landlord, it’s crucial to keep your tenants happy and avoid lawsuits by paying attention to maintenance requests.
Establish a Method for Tenants to Contact
When a tenant needs something, they’re going to contact you. Whether it be a repair or a question about their rent, you’re going to get a call. The best thing you can do is prepare. While you don’t necessarily have to have an actual system in place to track the contact, it’s a good idea to have a way for them to get in touch with you.
Make a Plan for Preventative Maintenance
In the worst-case scenario, a maintenance request can be your company’s first sign of a serious issue that is going to cost a lot of money to fix, or even damage your equipment. But, if you make a plan for preventative maintenance, you can avoid this chain of events by keeping an eye on your machines and having them checked out regularly.
To know more on how to handle maintenance requests, attend the Compliance Prime webinar.
