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Maintenance, Emergencies, and Professionals, Oh My!

Tenant on the Phone with Portsmouth LandlordIf you are operating a Portsmouth rental property, sooner or later, your tenant will call you with an earnest request for maintenance or repairs. It’s very important and helpful to appreciate the best ways to respond to different tenant requests. If you are handy, there are some things you could, in all likelihood, deal with yourself. On the other hand, there are times when taking it upon yourself to fix something yourself could just make matters worse. To figure out when to call in a maintenance tech, here are certain questions you can use to assess your rental’s state of affairs.

How urgent is the problem?

If your tenant has contacted you as regards a repair or maintenance issue, you should first check out how urgent the problem is. Even though your tenant may be bothered and disgruntled with regards to an inadequately functioning dishwasher or dripping faucet, these are maintenance items that do not obligate an emergency visit. But on the flip side, take note that if your tenant reports an issue that would make the property uninhabitable, you should take immediate action to work on the problem condition. A few examples include significant water leaks and damage or a non-functioning furnace or air conditioner. In these types of instances, it is normally better to call for professionals.

Do you know how to do it yourself?

If you have experience fulfilling maintenance and repair tasks, you may be the person to tackle a tenant’s request. It is particularly true if the task is a fairly small one or something you already know how to do. Yet, repairing something in an emergency without the proper tools or know-how could spell a messy disaster. Because of this, if you are either not definitely sure how to straighten out the problem or don’t have time to do it quickly, 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 principal 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 know are more important, whether managing your investments or spending quality time with loved ones. If you check out how much your time costs, it may be more economical to hire a service tech instead.

Do the repairs require a licensed professional?

Certain maintenance and repair items are certainly not difficult do-it-yourself tasks, for instance, replacing filters or cleaning the refrigerator coils. Others, in contrast, may call for the services of a licensed professional. Such concerns are either too dangerous or difficult for untrained Portsmouth property managers to do themselves. Electrical problems, major plumbing problems, and messes or issues 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, indeed, have to ensure that regular maintenance is put into effect. If your tenant seems unable or unwilling to help you with some routine maintenance tasks, you really either have to do it yourself or hire someone to accomplish it for you. Anyhow, proactive maintenance is one of the practical ways to prevent those late-night emergency calls and keep a close 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, additionally,  keep your tenants happily satisfied.

 

If property maintenance and repairs are not what you are looking forward to doing in owning a rental home, we can actually help! At Real Property Management Seacoast New Hampshire, we apply a proactive approach to property maintenance. We, in addition, have access to a network of quality service providers who can keep your property in pristine condition for less than you’d, in all likelihood, pay on your own. Contact us online to learn more!

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