If you hold a Ballard rental property, sooner or later, your tenant will call you with a pressing request for maintenance or repairs. It’s definitely significant to perceive the best ways to respond to different tenant requests. If you are handy, there are some things you could actually deal with yourself. On the other hand, there are times when trying to fix something yourself could only make matters worse. To know full well when to call in a maintenance tech, here are some useful questions you can use to assess the situation.
How urgent is the problem?
If your tenant has contacted you concerning a repair or maintenance issue, you should first find out how urgent the problem is. Whereas your tenant may be annoyed about a faulty working dishwasher or dripping faucet, these are maintenance items that do not need an emergency visit. But certainly, if your tenant reports an issue that would surely make the property uninhabitable, you should take immediate action to handle the problem. A bunch of examples includes significant water leaks and damage or a non-functioning furnace or air conditioner. In these types of situations, it is normally appropriate to ask for the advice and help of professionals.
Do you know how to do it yourself?
If you have experience doing maintenance and repair tasks, you may be the most ideal person to answer a tenant’s request. This is definitely true, in particular, if the task is a pretty quick one or something you already know how to do. However, trying to repair something in an emergency without the proper tools or know-how could spell actual disaster. In this regard, if you are either not actually sure on how to work out the problem or don’t have time to do it promptly, 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 critical 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, whether managing your investments or spending quality time with loved ones. If you figure out how much your time costs, it may be more economical to hire a service tech instead.
Do the repairs require a licensed professional?
A lot of maintenance and repair items are just manageable, do-it-yourself tasks, such as replacing filters or cleaning the refrigerator coils. Others, on the flip side, may obviously need the services of a licensed professional. Such issues are either too dangerous or difficult for untrained Ballard property managers to do themselves. Electrical problems, major plumbing problems, and difficulties with an HVAC unit should all be given to a professional service technician to take care of.
Is regular maintenance being scheduled?
To keep your rental property in good condition, you definitely have to ensure that regular maintenance is brought about. If your tenant seems unable or unwilling to help you with some routine maintenance tasks, you may certainly have to do it yourself or hire someone to just do it for you. One way or the other, proactive maintenance is one of the best approaches to keep off those late-night emergency calls and keep a lookout for 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 happily content, as well.
If property maintenance and repairs are not your most liked part of owning a rental home, we can really help! At Real Property Management Uintah, we employ a proactive approach to property maintenance. Besides that, we have access to a network of quality service providers who can keep your property in perfect condition for less than you’d presumably pay on your own. Contact us online to learn more!
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