Imagine getting a call to say that one of your rental properties is flooded due to a plumbing issue. But that's not the worst news of the day. The really bad news is that you knew about the plumbing issue but had forgotten to address it.
That's why maintenance coordination is essential. Not only does it keep you organized, but it also saves you time and money on your rental investments. Here are some ways to streamline your maintenance today.
Use Maintenance Management Tools
Moving tasks to an online platform can save you time and make your maintenance operations more efficient. A modern online portal lets you record maintenance issues, track them, and monitor key information like costs.
It's also possible to have a portal that tenants can access, which means they can report maintenance issues in one place without having to make phone calls or send emails.
Create an Inspection Schedule
Having inspection dates in your calendar can help you spot minor issues early before they escalate. Secure some expert contractors, such as HVAC specialists.
They will have proper processes for inspecting units and will be able to make minor repairs or replacements for small parts during the inspection, helping you avoid emergencies that disrupt your tenants.
Build Relationships With Vendors
When you have an emergency, you want vendors and contractors who can come to your rescue immediately. Therefore, you'll need to take the time now to build some trusted relationships.
If you have multiple properties, that's to your advantage, as you can offer your vendors contracts across all your rentals. A strong relationship with vendors also puts you in a better position to negotiate prices and keep your costs down.
Automate Your Processes
You can automate much of your maintenance workflows. For example, aim to automate:
- Work orders for contractors
- Vendor payments
- Your tenant communication strategies
Automation via systems and tools helps reduce administrative work. In the long run, that streamlined approach will help you save money.
Automated field technology for contractors is also a good idea. For example, you can use mobile devices or apps to check in to properties, track and update tasks, and report job completion.
Know How to Prioritize
You'll always have an extensive list of maintenance tasks for all your properties because that's the nature of real estate. However, the trick to good maintenance is knowing which ones are high priority and which can wait. High-priority tasks are:
- Those that could get worse if you don't address them
- Ones that inconvenience your tenants
- Ones that cost you a lot of money
Get your tasks in order so that you can begin working your way through the most critical items on the list. Ideally, you should use repair scheduling systems to help keep this priority in the correct order and visible to all.
Maintenance Coordination for Your Rentals
Effective maintenance coordination can save you time, money, and hassle. Use these tips to help you streamline your property maintenance today.
Using a property management team is one of the best ways to manage maintenance work. At PMI Triangle, we offer the best of both worlds: an experienced local team and the efficient systems of a nationwide franchise. Find out more about our services here.
