How to Deal with Maintenance Issues in my Rental Home – Advice for Investors
Today we’re talking about maintenance issues, and how you should take care of repair and replacement issues in your rental home. It’s important to take care of any maintenance concerns right away. It will contribute to the preservation of your home’s value and your immediate response will also keep your tenants happy.
Choosing Vendors
It’s important to hire vendors who are fully licensed and insured. When you hire just any handyman off the Internet, you’re setting yourself up for a lot of liability. Using a professional who specializes in a particular field and holds the necessary licenses will ensure that the work is done correctly and your property and tenants are protected. Screen vendors the same way you screen tenants; check for their insurance and license information and talk to current and former customers.
Using Specialists
Hire vendors who have specialized knowledge. If there’s a leak at your house, you want to have a plumber take a look at it and if your air conditioning isn’t working, you need a qualified heating and air conditioning technician. You want someone who has the experience to make a correct diagnosis and to get the job done properly the first time. Look for professionals who stand behind their work and guarantee it.
Getting What You Pay For
Everyone wants to save money, but choosing the vendor with the lowest rates is not always going to bring you the best service. You don’t want to work with someone who has extremely high or inflated charges, but you do want to be willing to pay for good work. One way to save money on great vendors is to give them a consistent volume of work. This is how professional property managers are able to save money for their clients; the vendors they use offer them volume discounts because of all the work that they get from that manager.
Whether you’re taking care of regular seasonal maintenance or you’re planning a complete remodel between tenants, make sure you hire qualified vendors who are licensed, insured and reliable. This will go a long way towards protecting your property and making sure your tenants are having their needs met while they rent from you.
If you have any questions about maintenance, or you’d like to hear more about how we handle repairs at your property, contact us at ALH|Podland.
Marina Shlomov, a managing partner at ALH|Podland Realty & Rental Homes Property Management is the author of many articles on Landlording, Property Management, and Real Estate Investing. A residential builder in the state of Georgia since 1999, Marina is an investor herself. Her property management company is intended “For Investors” and “By Investors” for a simple reason – she knows what investors’ goals are and she works hard to reach their goals. In her spare time, Marina likes to spend time with her family, friends, garden, read and travel. Check her out at www.alhpodland.com. You can find Marina’s articles and comments at @rentalhomesatl on Twitter, on Facebook, Google+, Blogger. and YouTube, Bigger Pockets and REI CLub and LinkedIn.
