If you are the possessor of an Oxbow rental property, sooner or later, your tenant will eventually call you with an urgent request for maintenance or repairs. It’s pivotal to be aware of the best ways to respond to different tenant requests. If you are handy, there are some things you could maybe deal with yourself. On the other hand, there are times when seeking to fix something yourself could only make matters worse. To ascertain when to call in a maintenance tech, here are some questions you can use to assess the given situation.
How urgent is the problem?
If your tenant has contacted you with respect to a repair or maintenance issue, you should first go over how urgent the problem is. Though your tenant may be anxious and irate about an awfully operating dishwasher or dripping faucet, these are maintenance items that do not dictate an emergency visit. Though, if your tenant reports an issue that would make the property uninhabitable, you should take immediate action to tackle that kind of problem. A few examples include significant water leaks and damage or a non-functioning furnace or air conditioner. In these types of situations, it is typically right to seek advice and services from professionals.
Do you know how to do it yourself?
If you have experience in doing maintenance and repair tasks, you may be the right person to address a tenant’s request. Particularly so if the task is a rather simple and quick one or something you already know how to do. Except, attempting to fix something in an emergency without the proper tools or know-how could spell a major disaster. In light of this, if you are either not clearly sure how to address the issue or don’t have time to do it immediately, it’s maybe 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 salient 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 study how much your time costs, it may be more economical to hire a service tech instead.
Do the repairs require a licensed professional?
A handful of maintenance and repair items are often do-it-yourself tasks, for example replacing filters or cleaning the refrigerator coils. Others, on the contrary, may actually call for the services of a licensed professional. Such chores are either too dangerous or difficult for untrained Oxbow property managers to do themselves. Electrical problems, major plumbing problems, and problem issues with an HVAC unit should all be given to a professional service technician.
Is regular maintenance being scheduled?
To keep your rental property in good condition, you really have to ensure that regular maintenance is implemented effectively. If your tenant seems unable or unwilling to help you with some routine maintenance tasks, you should either do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Indeed, proactive maintenance is one of the best practices to elude those late-night emergency calls and keep a sharp eye 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 satisfied as well.
If property maintenance and repairs are not a cherished part of owning a rental home for you, we can certainly help! At Real Property Management Optimum, we apply a proactive approach to property maintenance. We additionally have access to a network of quality service providers who can keep your property in fair condition for less than you’d maybe pay on your own. Contact us online to learn more!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
