One of the many jobs of a successful property manager is handling maintenance requests. In fact, just recently we shared an article about the importance of timely responses to these types of requests. But what if there was a way you could actually prevent them from occurring? While there’s no magical formula for completely eliminating property management maintenance issues, there are a few that tend to pop up more frequently than others that can be prevented to reduce your workload and improve productivity elsewhere.
Lockouts
Forgetting your keys and getting locked out happens to the best of us, but when it comes to someone who is renting property, it becomes much more of a hassle. You can avoid this by supplying tenants with a spare key for them to leave with someone they know and trust, or by placing one in a secure lockbox somewhere on the property. Just make sure to have “do not duplicate” stamped on the spare to prevent extra copies from being made and distributed without your knowledge.
Clogged Drains
This seemingly minor issue can quickly develop into a major catastrophe, such as a flood, so it’s something that should be taken seriously. It can be prevented, however, by installing drain screens. You may also want to provide clear instructions to all tenants that no food, grease or chemical products should be disposed of down the drain and ask that they pour boiling water down their drains at least once a month.
Pests
From insects to rodents, pests can become a problem even for the cleanest, most diligent tenants. It’s important that both landlords and tenants work together to prevent infestations from occurring, and to manage the problem if and when it happens. For your part, be sure to conduct annual inspections of the property and seal up any possible points of entry, including chimneys, which should be capped when not in use. Instruct the tenants on proper trash removal and ask them to notify you immediately should they see a problem with pests so that it can be handled right away.
HVAC Issues
Unfortunately, heating and air conditioning systems break down from time to time, but these malfunctions can be costly and time consuming. The best way to stay on top of these types of calls is to invest in preventative maintenance. Units that are regularly cleaned and professionally maintained last longer and break down less frequently. Trust us – the cost to maintain HVAC systems is much more affordable than the costs to fix or replace them once they’ve malfunctioned.
These four things are among the most common maintenance issues that property management professionals have to deal with on a regular basis. By applying the tips provided above, you can reduce the frequency of these types of calls and save money at the same time. For those requests that you can’t prevent, property and maintenance management software can help you stay organized and effectively manage the workload so it is done in a timely, efficient and cost-effective way.
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