If you own and manage a Lawrenceville rental property, sooner or later, your tenant will call sounding distressed and with a request for maintenance or repairs. It’s imperative to take into account the best ways to respond to different tenant requests. If you are handy, there are some things you could definitely deal with yourself. On the other hand, there are times when struggling to fix something yourself could make matters worse. To surely know when to call in a maintenance tech, here are some helpful questions you can use to assess the problematic situation.
How urgent is the problem?
If your tenant has contacted you as to a repair or maintenance issue, you should first take into account how urgent the problem is. Even supposing your tenant may be offended in relation to a very faulty working dishwasher or dripping faucet, these are maintenance items that do not require an emergency visit. But as a matter of fact, if your tenant reports an issue that would make the property uninhabitable, you should take immediate action to fix the reported problem. A handful of examples are significant water leaks and damage or a non-functioning furnace or air conditioner. In these types of problem situations, it is often good to call up and hire professionals to work on the problem.
Do you know how to do it yourself?
If you have experience with actually completing maintenance and repair tasks, you may be the most qualified person to meet a tenant’s request. This is certainly true if the task is a comparably uncomplicated one or something you already know how to do. Except, restoring something in an emergency without the proper tools or know-how could spell a major problem in itself. In view of this, if you are either not really confident about how to correct the issue or don’t have time to do it without delay, it’s certainly 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 focal 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 you consider significant, whether managing your investments or spending quality time with loved ones. If you check to see how much your time costs, it may be more economical to hire a service tech instead.
Do the repairs require a licensed professional?
Many maintenance and repair items are straightforward, do-it-yourself tasks, by way of illustration replacing filters or cleaning the refrigerator coils. On the other hand, others may demand the services of a licensed professional. Such activities are either too dangerous or difficult for untrained Lawrenceville property managers to do themselves. Electrical troubles, major plumbing problems, and concerns with an HVAC unit should all be left to a professional service technician.
Is regular maintenance being scheduled?
To keep your rental property in good condition, you must ensure that regular maintenance is worked out. If your tenant seems unable or unwilling to help you with some routine maintenance tasks, you will either endeavor to do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Although, whatever the case, proactive maintenance is one of the best practices to stop those late-night emergency calls and keep watch on 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 ecstatic.
If property maintenance and repairs are not your favorite part of owning a rental home, we can really help you! At Real Property Management Executives Greater Atlanta, we employ a proactive approach to property maintenance. We likewise have access to a network of quality service providers who can keep your property in proper condition for less than you’d imaginably pay on your own. Contact us online to learn more!
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