Residents reporting maintenance issues at the last minute
Category: Maintenance
13 replies
Original post
We've had a few residents lately wait several weeks before telling us about leaks or other maintenance issues because they "didn't think it was a big deal." By the time we find out, it's usually turned into a much bigger repair.
We've reminded everyone to report issues as soon as they notice them, but it still happens from time to time.
Has anyone found a good way to encourage residents to report things earlier?
Reply by Marc St.James
@[cms94yyhu003ow70l69gwo8ar](Daniel M.) I've run into that too. I just remind tenants that I'd much rather fix a small leak than deal with water damage later. I think some people worry they're bothering you, so I always tell them I'd rather hear about it early than after it's become a bigger problem.
Reply by Josh Winders
It is scary to think that someone living in your rental doesn't give s#!T about the place. I try to reach out once a week and just send a text asking how everything is. It's usually just a quick reminder that you are accessible whenever.Reply by Grace Hart
Yes! That can be a pain for sure! Nothing worse than having a small issue become a bigger one! I have properties across multiple states and feel like I come across certain issues in my NC rentals and then others in my NY and PA rentals. One obviously being freezing pipes in the winter. I may need to utilize a "quick check-in" process myself.Reply by Christina Calderon
Do you use an online maintenance request system?For some reason, giving my tenants the ability to submit a request without calling/texting me directly has increased the amount of requests I get (i.e., tenants are reporting those smaller issues they don't think are a big deal more often). I think it's because they don't feel like they're bothering me directly, they're just logging it in a third-party system (that goes directly to me anyway, haha).
My other suggestion is to provide a list, maybe this autumn before winter, of the types of things to report immediately. Gives them a little encouragement that these requests are not only warranted but necessary