If you're a landlord, the repair requests can pile up quickly. That leaky faucet might seem trivial once you learn about the hole in the ceiling in apartment 244. Don't convince yourself that the tenants with the leaky faucet can fix the problem themselves and save you some time. If your tenant doesn't know what their doing, that leaky faucet could easily turn into a flooded apartment.

Most tenants do not have the experience required for making even minor repairs nor are they motivated to do so. Many people are drawn to the apartment community primarily because someone else is responsible for most of the property maintenance. Even if the tenants are capable of making minor apartment repairs, the chances of them doing a makeshift job in order to save a few dollars is pretty high. You don't want repairs done with paper clips and rubber bands, but if the tenant's lease is only for another month, that might be their solution to the unanswered repair request.

No matter how simple the task may seem, it's always better to take care the maintenance yourself, or to hire a handyman to help you out. Not only will hiring a handyman help you save time, but they can help you keep an eye out for unauthorized pets or sub-tenants.

Having trouble finding a handyman? You can find one in your area by visiting NaturalHandyman.net. You might also ask the tenants in your apartment complex. Perhaps you have a resident with handyman experience. If so, you might be able to offer them a reduced rent fee in exchange for their part time services.

Whether you are making the repairs yourself, or you've hired someone to do them for you, it's important to make sure that the repairs are made in a timely fashion. According to the Cleveland Tenants Organization, “If the landlord fails to correct the condition within a reasonable time, not to exceed 30 days, then the tenant may deposit his/her rent with the Clerk of Courts, or may apply to the Court for an order to compel the repairs, or may terminate the rental agreement.” By making repairs promptly and efficiently, the landlord has a much better chance of keeping the good tenants in his or her complex.

Another important customer service is checking up on the repairs you or your handyman have made. This can be done simply by making a phone call to make sure the repaired item is in working order. By exhibiting your desire as landlord to provide high quality housing, it's easier to attract high quality tenants - and high quality tenants can make any landlord's job a good deal easier.

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Published: February 21, 2000

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