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What is Your Policy In Handling Incoming Resident Maintenance Requests?

By
Property Manager with HomePointe Property Management, CRMC 00691121

Our policy is to do the following:

1. Hear the complaint and review the history of maintenance we have performed on the property to see if there is a call back situation.

2. Talk the resident through any possible solution they can handle.

3. If verbal instructions won't work, call a trusted vendor to do the job (or employee with skills to do the job). I do not have those skills.

4. Once the bill is received, pay the bill and sub bill the tenant if they are responsible for causing the repair.

5. On a random basis, call tenants after the fact to see if they are satisfied with the repair.

Note: Most of our clients have a repair limit of $300.00. If the bid or bill is to be over the limit, we call the owner for approval.

Posted by

Robert A. Machado, CPM, MPM

HomePointe Property Management

Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, and Placer Counties

We manage residential and commercial property.

916-429-1205 x 105

rmachado@HomePointe.com

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

My emergency limit is $1,000 otherwise it is $500 * I only take maintenance requests via e-mail and dispatch them to vendors via e-mail with tenant contact information.  If tenant will not be home, vendor can use the hidden property key box for entry

My Resident Handbook has BEAUCOUP information in simple fixes for most problems so unless it is a broken appliance, leak or HVAC issue, it really is not an emergency and it handled promptly.

All of my residents have e-mail as do my maintenance personnel. My plumber gets my e-mails on his iPhone!!!

Feb 02, 2010 09:07 PM
Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Robert, 

Great post.  That pretty much is our maintenance policy in a nutshell.  I like Wallace's suggestion of the information notebook.  

I do accept calls as well as e-mails.  Will have to think that one through since I have an iPhone and check it out. 

All the best, Michelle

Feb 03, 2010 01:22 AM
Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

When dealing with lower income residents, a booklet may make the manager feel good, but it is pretty useless.  Heck, English is a second language for many of our residents.  Of course, we use email too when the resident has it.

Feb 03, 2010 10:59 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

That looks like a great property management protocol Robert!  I wish you were around years ago, when my sister and I inherited a few units from our mother. 

I could count on a major issue each and every time I was ready to go out the door for a long weekend!  I think there is a Friday afternoon grinch that is dedicated to property owners:-)  I found that a really good handyman, plumber, electrician, and a landscaper, were worth their weight in gold!

Feb 03, 2010 11:37 AM