If you’re a landlord, you’ve undoubtedly received tenant repair requests. Most states, including Florida, require landlords to keep their rental property in habitable condition to continue receiving rent from tenants. If the landlord does not keep the property in safe, livable condition, the tenant can withhold rent to make the repairs themself and report the landlord to state officials. Avoid these potential legal troubles by handling tenant repair requests promptly and efficiently using our top tips below:
Open Communication
The most important tip we can give on handling tenant repair requests is to keep an open line of communication between yourself and your tenants. Furthermore, this same level of communication should also be maintained with any service contractors you’ve hired to complete repairs. By making sure everyone knows exactly how to reach you, including in cases of an emergency, you can get a jump on repairs and keep everyone on the same page.
Tenant Education
While you may be familiar with how to diagnose and make small repairs around a property, many of your tenants will not be educated on these matters. Part of your job as a landlord is to educate your tenants on how to identify problems, gauge their severity, and report them properly. For example, a tenant who has never owned their own home may not know that plugging in too many items in one room can cause a breaker to trip, or that this is a simple fix. Be patient and take time to teach your tenants these simple things.
Clear Expectations
Sometimes tenants are afraid to report problems to the landlord for fear of retaliation or eviction, so be very clear with your tenants about your expectations related to reporting issues and requesting repairs. Be sure they know exactly how to reach you (including in an after-hours emergency), what your typical response time is, and the consequences of not reporting needed repairs. By communicating this information ahead of time, and preferably in writing, you can avoid confusion and get ahead of repairs before they become more costly.
Thorough Documentation
No matter how you choose to handle tenant repairs, be sure to document everything meticulously. From dates and times of phone calls to information on who and how the repair was made, keep a notebook or journal with all the relevant information, no matter how seemingly insignificant. This information can be very helpful if a repair issue ends up in court or is being scrutinized by a state or local housing authority.
Let Douglas Handle Your Tenant’s Repair Requests
Tired of having to deal with tenant repair requests? If you’re in southwest Florida, you don’t have to handle property repairs on your own. Here at Douglas Realty & Property Management, we have a set process for all tenants to follow to request any type of maintenance or repair. We also conduct scheduled inspections of all properties we manage to help identify problems early, plus we prioritize educating tenants on how to identify and troubleshoot issues themselves before they call. Our streamlined manner of dealing with tenant repairs leads to quicker response times, lower repair costs, and more tenant retention…which puts more money in your pocket! To see how we can turn your rental properties into a truly passive income source, give us a call at 239-542-6906 or send us a message online today!
