Tenants expect their maintenance issues to be responded to right away. Good maintenance practices lead to good tenant retention. When you have a process in place to respond to those repair requests, you’ll be able to meet the needs of your residents and your rental property. You’re protecting the condition of your investment, so it’s important not to let it fall into disrepair.
As Orlando property managers, we take maintenance seriously and we have systems in place to ensure your property is in good shape and all repairs are cost-effective.
Here are some of our best practices for taking care of those maintenance requests.
Be Clear about the Maintenance Process
Tenants need to understand the process of requesting help when a repair or a replacement is needed. This is something you must include in your lease agreement. When you’re meeting with tenants before they move in, always go over the process with them and ask if they have any questions about it.
When you work with an Orlando property management company, you won’t have to worry about being the point of contact. But, if you’re managing the property on your own, you’ll have to make sure you’re available to your tenants 24 hours a day in case there’s an emergency. This means being available in the middle of the night and on holidays and weekends. You never want to be inaccessible, especially if your property is flooding or on fire.
Emergency vs. Routine Maintenance Processes
For emergencies, your tenants should call you right away.
For general repairs, however, it’s a better idea to have your residents put the request in writing. This will keep the process well-documented and accountable. Tenants can email or text you with the problem and if possible, include pictures. Then, you can respond in writing and follow up with them after the work is complete.
Everything will be in writing, and you can refer to those records when future maintenance needs arise or if there’s a dispute about work that was completed.
Responsiveness and Managing Orlando Rental Homes
It’s critical that you respond to emergencies right away. Tenants need running water and air conditioning. They need electricity and hot water.
Responding to routine maintenance requests with the same sense of urgency is good customer service. If a tenant reports that something simple is wrong such as a clogged garbage disposal or a rip in a window screen, you may feel like it’s not a big deal. It is a big deal to your tenants. Responding quickly shows the tenants that you’re responsive and you care about their needs. It also protects the condition of your home. Small problems don’t become easier or cheaper with time. Don’t leave deferred maintenance for later. It’s better for your investment to fix and replace things right away.
Put Together a Reliable List of Vendors and Contractors
Looking for a plumber in the middle of the night when your rental home is flooding is not going to be easy. You want to have relationships in place before you need them.
Assemble a preferred list of vendors and contractors who can help you when there’s a routine request that’s been made or a maintenance emergency. You’ll need to have plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, roofers, and even landscapers and cleaners in your list of contacts.
This is one of the best reasons to work with Orlando property managers. We work with licensed and insured professionals who are affordable and responsive. They understand the urgency of our needs.
If you’d like to make your maintenance process as resident-friendly as possible, we can help. Contact us at Park Avenue Property Management.