Every Colorado Springs rental home is going to require maintenance. Even if you bought it in excellent condition and it’s a brand new property, something will eventually break. Hopefully, it won’t be a huge and surprising expense.
It’s important that your Colorado Springs property management company is prepared for both routine and emergency maintenance situations. When you’re managing your rental property on your own, you have to be prepared for those things as well, and you need to know how to reach the best possible vendors and contractors in the area to help you.
When you pay attention to the maintenance at your rental property, you protect its condition and you increase your ROI. No one likes to deal with maintenance expenses. But, when you’re prepared and you’ve budgeted for them, working through the process is much easier.
Pay Attention to Seasonal and Preventative Maintenance
Colorado Springs has some pretty dramatic weather. With an average of 57 inches of snow every year, it’s important to make sure your rental property is protected against the elements. This requires a strong seasonal maintenance plan. If you have an irrigation system, make sure it’s flushed and drained before the cold weather arrives. Have your furnace and heating system inspected and cleaned. Check the roof for any damage or potential leaks, and trim all branches away from the property.
Educate your tenants on how to prevent frozen pipes and property damage. Make sure there’s a plan in place for shoveling and snow removal. Figure out how you’ll treat surfaces with sand and salt when things get slippery.
In the summer, you’ll need to focus on the air conditioning and the landscaping. It’s a good time to repaint the property if necessary and do any power washing or gutter cleaning. Set up a way to take care of your home between seasons so there aren’t any emergencies and surprise maintenance expenses.
Respond Quickly to Tenant Repair Requests
When a tenant reports a maintenance issue, make sure you respond right away. One of the reasons that Colorado Springs property management companies are so successful at responding to maintenance needs is that they have a system in place. Tenants today can often make their requests online, providing an easy way to document repair requests and track the way they’re handled.
You may not have your own online system, but you can ask tenants to put their requests in writing so you stay organized and can document all requests and responses. Don’t wait too long to respond. Tenants will get frustrated and your property will suffer. Responsive maintenance both protects your home’s condition and contributes to better tenant retention.
Work with Licensed and Insured Vendors
A good Colorado Springs property management company will have relationships in place with great vendors to ensure your property is maintained professionally and cost effectively.
Make sure you have relationships in place with good vendors. Work with licensed and insured professionals only; this protects you from liability and risk and it also gives you the peace of mind that your vendors will stand by their work and make repairs correctly and completely. Don’t try to save a few dollars by using unlicensed workers. It’s not worth the risk to your property or your financial stability.
We’d be happy to help you with maintenance or any of your Colorado Springs property management needs. Please contact us at Muldoon Associates.
