As the landlord, you are responsible for addressing maintenance and repair issues at the property. Tenants depend on you to address their needs. This is a big responsibility and a rental ownership cost that should not be overlooked.
A plan can help you better manage maintenance requests and costs. Follow this guide to create a system for receiving and managing property maintenance requests.
Have a Tracking System
The best way to track property maintenance requests is with a tenant portal system. This system puts all requests, communications, and notes in one place. It makes managing multiple requests easier and reduces the risk of a request falling through the cracks.
As a part of your portal system, create a maintenance request form. It should include all necessary information to help you understand the issue and the maintenance needed. It also standardized the requests to make processing them easier.
Have a prioritizing strategy to address emergency requests first.
Know the Law
The Texas landlord statutes require that you maintain a habitable property. You must make repairs that threaten the health and safety of your tenants. This applies to roof leaks, electrical, sewage leaks, pest infestations, or flooding.
Responsive Communication
Your maintenance tracking should do more than help you track the status of your maintenance requests. It should also keep the tenant updated. That way, they can log into their tenant portal and see the status of their request.
Often, simply communicating with the tenant can help increase their satisfaction. That way, you reduce the risk of them taking curative efforts.
DIY or Contractor?
Decide whether you will perform the maintenance yourself or hire a vendor or contractor to do the work for you. If you hire contractors, you should have a roster of vendors on speed dial.
That way, you can promptly respond to maintenance requests. This is also essential for responding to emergency maintenance needs.
Hire a Property Manager
Another option is to hire property management services. Whether you do the work yourself or hire contractors, managing repairs can become time-consuming.
Letting a property manager handle these tasks frees up your time. You can also use their professional relationships with local vendors.
Because property managers handle multiple properties, they can negotiate for better rates. They also have a closer relationship with contractors. You can leverage this for lower operating costs and better work quality.
Post Maintenance Follow-Up
After the property repairs, follow up with the tenant. Confirm with them that the issue is now addressed and the tenant is satisfied. If they aren't, you can address the tenant's concerns and arrange further maintenance.
Arrange Property Maintenance
Owning a rental property means handling property maintenance requests from your tenants. This guide will help you have a system for effective maintenance request processing. That way, you maintain positive tenant relationships and don't violate the law.
By working with PMI North Texas, you simplify the handling of maintenance requests. Let the experts do the work so you can have peace of mind and more free time.
Protect your property value and improve tenant satisfaction by hiring PMI North Texas to manage your maintenance requests.
