Why Send Safety & Maintenance Surveys

Post date: Jul 11, 2016 5:28:0 AM

If you own or manage any rental property, you are aware that you have a responsibility to maintain these units in a habitable condition.  Most landlords rely on their tenants to let them know of any maintenance issues, and you trust they are doing that – after all, how many times have you had to unclog a toilet or deal with an overflowing sink?  But what you may not realize is how much they AREN’T telling you.  Maybe the toilet runs continuously?  They can still use their toilet, so they don’t bother to call you to arrange the repairs, or maybe they just get busy in their own lives and consistently forget to notify you.  Either way, you are probably paying that water bill and you could be saving hundreds!!!

In all fairness to our tenants, they live their lives, and if something doesn’t interfere too badly with that, it probably isn’t high up on their priority list.  However, if the city shows up, who do you think will be held responsible for that leak you didn’t even know?  So, how can you maintain habitability and keep up your end responsibilities?  One way is to do annual inspections, which I highly recommend – even semi-annual!  Keep in mind, unless you are dealing with government funded housing, you cannot enforce this “right to enter” to do preventative maintenance inspections unless your tenants agree.  What else can you do?

Another way is to reach out to your tenants.  Maybe they are too busy to write you that note or email, but that doesn’t mean you can make the process easier for them.  Give them a general survey regarding their unit and building, and have them return it with their next rent payment.  Simple enough!  They don’t really have to think about every inch of their home.  They check off a box if there is a problem, and there is room to write additional notes.  It also gives them an opportunity to let you know of anything else that may be bothering them – neighbor plays loud music, someone parks over the line, etc.  Not only are you staying on top of your maintenance and habitability responsibilities, you are now also better informed about how to make your residents happy!  In addition, should you have to go to court against any of your residents for any issues, it would be easy for you to prove in writing that there wasn’t an ongoing habitability issue; especially if you have several responses from them in their file from over their years of tenancy.

So, what do you have to lose?  Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!  It’s time to get to know your properties and tenants better, and keep your investment in the best shape possible!