Managing a rental property comes with its challenges, especially when major repairs are needed. As a landlord in Burlington, keeping your property regularly maintained is important for tenant satisfaction and long-term property value. But, handling significant repairs without disrupting your tenants requires strategic planning and communication. In this blog, we’ll explore best practices to ensure a smooth process that keeps both your tenants and your property in good condition.
Prioritize Preventative Maintenance
The best way to minimize disruptions from major repairs is to prevent them from happening. Following the 80/20 rule of rental property maintenance, focusing on the 20% of tasks that prevent 80% of costly repairs can save you time, money, and stress. Regular inspections and regular maintenance such as HVAC tune-ups, plumbing checks, and roof maintenance can help catch small issues before they escalate into major problems.
For example, replacing air filters and inspecting plumbing systems may seem minor, but these simple steps prevent costly HVAC breakdowns and water damage. Proactive property maintenance ensures your rental property remains in top condition and reduces the likelihood of sudden, tenant-disrupting repairs.
Plan Repairs in Advance
Despite preventative measures, some major repairs are unavoidable. When facing large projects like roof replacements, plumbing overhauls, or foundation repairs, planning is key. Work with professional property managers or property management companies to coordinate repairs efficiently and comply with local laws and safety regulations.
Giving tenants advanced notice is not just courteous, it’s essential. A lease agreement should outline repair responsibilities and inform tenants about routine maintenance expectations. Send written notices well in advance, explaining the scope of work, expected duration, and any potential disruptions. Clear communication builds trust and helps tenants prepare for temporary inconveniences.
Minimize Tenant Disruptions
To maintain positive landlord-tenant relationships, reduce the impact of repairs by:
Offering Temporary Accommodations: If repairs affect important utilities, consider covering hotel stays or rent payment reductions.
Scheduling Repairs in Phases: If possible, break large projects into smaller sections to avoid completely shutting down parts of the property.
Using Experienced Contractors: A professional property manager can ensure licensed contractors complete the work efficiently.
By focusing on these steps, you can complete necessary repairs while maintaining rental property income and reducing tenant turnover.
Address Common Maintenance Myths
A common rental property maintenance myth is that tenants should handle minor repairs themselves. However, relying on tenants can lead to bigger problems and increased maintenance expenses. As a landlord, you must address issues beyond normal wear and tear to maintain property value and tenant satisfaction while tenants are responsible for everyday maintenance.
Assigning repairs to professional maintenance teams prevents costly damage and ensures your property remains livable. Ignoring rental property repairs or mismanaging repair costs can result in increased tenant turnover and financial loss.
Let Legacy Property Management Handle Your Repairs
Major repairs can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle them alone. At Legacy Property Management, we specialize in managing residential properties efficiently, including property maintenance, rental property repairs, and security deposit management.
We help landlords like you save money by ensuring compliance with building codes, tax benefits, deductible expenses, and repair deductions. Our tax professional partners can also assist with taxable income implications.
Contact us today to learn how we can protect your investment property while keeping your tenants satisfied. Let us handle your maintenance requests and yearly maintenance costs so you can focus on maximizing your rental income!