Posts
You have worked hard and over time amassed several rental properties. The first few years things seemed to go fine and you handled each maintenance call as it came. Now, it seems that you are getting more and more calls for property maintenance. You got into this business for retirement income and now you are working full time in property maintenance. Is there a solution?
You know that repeatedly calling for plumbers and electricians will very quickly begin to eat into your money making venture, but have you considered a property maintenance worker. You may have a skilled tenant that would be willing to trade his skills for rent-free living. If he saves you two or three service calls per month, he will have earned his keep.
Before hiring anyone, make sure that he or she has the necessary experience to take care of the units that you own. If you hire a person, but continually have to hire specialist for some of the tasks you will end up spending more money.
Make sure that the person you hire will be able to respond to the problems that arise in an appropriate amount of time. If there is a heating problem in the middle of winter, tenants expect maintenance to respond quickly. If you maintenance person cannot get there for hours, you will have some angry tenants. Once again, finding someone willing to live onsite can be a great advantage.
Consider the workload that you expect before offering anyone the maintenance job. Even if you are offering free or reduced rent, you want to make sure that there is enough work to justify the expense you are paying for your property maintenance personnel. If you have a large number of properties that are spread far, it may take more than one person to provide the level of service that is needed.
Make sure that workers you hire are ethical. Maintenance workers that take belongings from tenants will give you a poor reputation. Be sure that you both ask for and check references from the person you intend to hire. You will want to know about personality as well as work ethic.
Make sure the new hire will be able to keep up with the work load demand. The amount of property you own as well as the condition of the units will affect the workload and should be considered before hiring.
Make sure that you are paying a reasonable rate for maintenance work. If it would be less expensive to hire plumbers and electricians when needed, you are paying too much for your maintenance worker. You do not want to pay a maintenance worker for part time work if he never has anything to do.
Hiring a maintenance worker may once again give you the freedom you have desired as a property owner. You will be free to go out of town and know that your units will be well cared for by a good maintenance worker. You can once again have peace of mind as a property owner.
You know that repeatedly calling for plumbers and electricians will very quickly begin to eat into your money making venture, but have you considered a property maintenance worker. You may have a skilled tenant that would be willing to trade his skills for rent-free living. If he saves you two or three service calls per month, he will have earned his keep.
Before hiring anyone, make sure that he or she has the necessary experience to take care of the units that you own. If you hire a person, but continually have to hire specialist for some of the tasks you will end up spending more money.
Make sure that the person you hire will be able to respond to the problems that arise in an appropriate amount of time. If there is a heating problem in the middle of winter, tenants expect maintenance to respond quickly. If you maintenance person cannot get there for hours, you will have some angry tenants. Once again, finding someone willing to live onsite can be a great advantage.
Consider the workload that you expect before offering anyone the maintenance job. Even if you are offering free or reduced rent, you want to make sure that there is enough work to justify the expense you are paying for your property maintenance personnel. If you have a large number of properties that are spread far, it may take more than one person to provide the level of service that is needed.
Make sure that workers you hire are ethical. Maintenance workers that take belongings from tenants will give you a poor reputation. Be sure that you both ask for and check references from the person you intend to hire. You will want to know about personality as well as work ethic.
Make sure the new hire will be able to keep up with the work load demand. The amount of property you own as well as the condition of the units will affect the workload and should be considered before hiring.
Make sure that you are paying a reasonable rate for maintenance work. If it would be less expensive to hire plumbers and electricians when needed, you are paying too much for your maintenance worker. You do not want to pay a maintenance worker for part time work if he never has anything to do.
Hiring a maintenance worker may once again give you the freedom you have desired as a property owner. You will be free to go out of town and know that your units will be well cared for by a good maintenance worker. You can once again have peace of mind as a property owner.
About the Author:
If you own your property, you will obviously know that property maintenance is not the simplest thing in the world, especially if you own quite a few. This is why so many landlords seek out professional commercial cleaning to help them keep their investments up to scratch and looking good.
No comments:
Post a Comment