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NASQT: Can I Use My Own Repair Person

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty

NASQT:  Can I Use My Own Repair Person

I was recently contacted by a prospective property management client.  One of her questions was if she selected my company to manage her property, could she continue to use her own maintenance and repair person?

In short, the answer is yes.  As the owner, that decision is up to you.  However, sometimes it has a way of interfering with processes and can sometimes cause confusion.

In other words, it will sometimes add more work or confusion to the process.  As a property management company, we follow a strict set of guidelines when it comes to repair request.  Our current vendors are well aware of their roles when it comes to coming in contact with tenants when making repairs.  Our vendors know that when they enter into a home, they are there for a specific purpose with specific instructions for repair and or reporting of their findings to us.

The greatest concern that we have when dealing with technicians that are not familiar with how we work, is the conversations that they have with tenants.  Our vendors know that all questions that the tenants ask the technicians should be directed to the property manager.  If the questions have to do with how tenants should operate certain equipment or features, then of course the technicians are expected to provide the answers to these questions. 

Also the owners repair person often does not feel the need to keep the property manager in the loop and things don't always work out as efficiently as they could.

Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Charita, 

We are always happy to use their vendors, but like you say there is a learning curve to make sure we are all on the same page and process.  In some cases, we've had to switch, as over time their vendors were no longer doing the job we wanted and expected.  (This is true with our vendors, too!)  

The biggest thing we will NOT do is take a property with a home warranty.  The home warranty company only makes money when they don't repair things, so we find dealing with them adds $$, a lot of time and even more frustration to keeping a property in good order. 

All the best, Michelle

Jan 26, 2011 12:29 AM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Michelle getting over that hump (learning curve) is the first order of business.   We have has some instances where we've used the vendors on other projects, but that does not happen often.

Jan 26, 2011 01:14 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Charita - the management of my rental property just changed hands (the one I hired closed down their local office) so it will be interesting to see how much I'm charged for the same types of repairs/services. If I'm charged more, I may be asking the company to use the same service companies that my old management company did. Good idea? Bad idea? Wait and see?

Jan 26, 2011 01:28 AM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

Cynthia since the vendors from the old company are already familiar with your property and how how property managers work in general, recommending them may not be such a bad idea.

Jan 26, 2011 01:36 AM