Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of the things we used to do before the outbreak is no longer considered safe. Since we need to observe social distancing and frequent sanitation, we have to change how we usually do things.
For landlords and property managers, one of the activities that they need to perform is property maintenance inspections and repairs. However, the safety and health guidelines in the new normal make the task very challenging. But it is not impossible.
There are strategies you can take to perform your duty to maintain your rental property under habitable conditions, without jeopardizing the health of your tenants and maintenance team.
Inform your tenants of new maintenance guidelines
To successfully perform your maintenance responsibilities, you would need the cooperation of your tenants, and not just your maintenance staff.
Inform your tenants via call or email the new rules when it comes to property maintenance. Make sure that they clearly understand new protocols and give them a chance to express if they find any issue with any of the new rules so you can adjust accordingly if possible.
Remind your tenants of their repair and maintenance responsibilities so that they will do their part and minimize contact with maintenance staff.
Be honest if you have to limit their requests to only the most urgent issues. Set expectations if you know that there will be delays in performing certain repairs.
Online submission of maintenance and repair requests
Have an online platform, e.g., via email, for them to submit damage reports or maintenance concerns so that they don’t have to interact with you in person. Do not accept reports over the phone because you could easily forget it, and it’s better to have written documentation of all repairs and maintenance.
Set cleaning and inspection schedules
Let everyone in your property know when a janitorial staff will clean common areas so that they will avoid going to those places during the scheduled cleaning.
For maintenance inspections of individual units, make sure you inform tenants ahead regarding the date and time that you or your staff will inspect so that they can wear face masks and face shields.
You could also opt for virtual inspection via video call. It’s similar to a virtual property showing, but this time, your tenant will be the one who will show you around their unit.
To prevent them from hiding any property damage that they’ve caused, you must be the one to navigate wherever area of the property you want to see. As they move around the unit, make them turn on appliances, lights, and faucets to check if they are functioning.
Let them know that you are also recording the call and that you will take screenshots for documentation.
Protective gear
Make sure that your maintenance staff or the third-party service providers who will perform repair and maintenance tasks are wearing face masks. As an additional precaution, make sure that they have sanitized their hands before entering the property and are not experiencing any symptoms.
Unoccupied units
If you have vacant units, make sure that you still observe health protocols when preparing them for new tenants. Once the unit is ready for occupancy, publish a listing on Padleads. Try to screen your pool of rental applicants online as much as possible. Conduct virtual interviews and virtual property showings so that you can limit face-to-face interaction.