7 Property Upkeeping Tips for Property Managers

Are you tired of struggling with upkeep on all the various properties you manage? Spending dozens of extra hours each month fixing leaky pipes that won’t go away or troublesome tenants who won’t get off your back? If you’re a property manager, you understand the daily stresses that come along with the job. But, while some of these stresses are par for the course, it’s possible that you could make your day to day duties less stressful by improving your process here and there. So where do you start? Follow our 7 property upkeeping tips for property managers below and start experiencing better client relationships, less stress, and a more efficient overall process.

1.    Technology is your friend

The more properties you manage, the trickier it becomes to keep track of all the things that need to be done. Rather than sticking to old-fashioned pen and paper or trying to make your own tracking spreadsheet (because we all know how messy that gets), try one of several apps on today’s market, like Buildium, AppFolio, or Rentec Direct. These programs were made for property managers, featuring all kinds of tools that allow you to schedule maintenance for individual properties, keep track of vacancies, record finances, create an online tenant portal, and more.

2.    Choose your tenants wisely

Honestly, we can’t stress this one enough. We understand you’ll be tempted to fill any vacancies as quickly as possible to keep the revenue flowing, but it’s also critical that you have a process in place for weeding out the bad tenants and selecting the good ones – the ones who stick around for longer, pay on time, don’t damage the property, and keep it well-maintained for you. For more property management tips check out our past blog post on tips for how to spot a bad tenant for more advice.

3.    Find an emergency plumber

Having a go-to plumber on your side is a must when it comes to effective property management. This eliminates any guesswork when you’re face to face with a broken sewer line or another plumbing issue at one of your properties.  Build up a good rapport with them, and make sure they’ll be available for your repairs anytime you call.

4.    Keep your parking lot clean

If you manage business or apartment complexes, you’re also going to have to deal with parking lot management. A well-maintained parking lot can last you for years and years without issue – but the moment you slack on regular upkeep, you’ll start to feel the effects. Cracked asphalt, parking lot puddles, and potholes are some of the issues you can avoid with regular parking lot sweeping and maintenance.

5.    Don’t procrastinate

Okay, this seems obvious – it’s something you’ve been told over and over again since grade school. But seriously, don’t procrastinate. Don’t let that leaky faucet wait until next week, don’t wait until next month to look for a plumber or see about fixing that nasty pothole or roof leak. Address problems as they occur and avoid a mountain of chaos in the future.

6.    Keep trees trimmed and healthy

Keeping your trees healthy comes along with the property management job description. Not only do they provide a nice aesthetic for your tenants, but healthy, well cared for trees also pose fewer risks to your property than neglected ones. Trees can pose a lot of problems for your property – tree limbs can fall and damage a roof after a storm, can mess with power lines, or can block entrances and exits to your parking lot. Tree roots can damage asphalt surfaces and walkways and pose tripping hazards. It’s important that you hire a certified arborist to maintain your trees and advise you on when a tree should be removed or replaced.

7.    Engage with your clients

This one is last, but definitely not least. Client engagement is key to maintaining good relationships with your tenants. Some landlords or property managers are very hands off – and that can be a plus for some tenants. However, we can guarantee you that just about every tenant will want you to be hands-on when they’re experiencing an issue or have a complaint. Make your tenants aware that you’re easy to reach, and give them plenty of ways to contact you – online, via phone, email, or in person. Also, consider issuing a survey to your tenants on a yearly basis asking them to evaluate their experiences with you.

Do you have any property upkeeping tips?

We’ve given you our top 7 property upkeeping tips for landlords and property managers – but we want to hear from you, as well. Share your property management tips and tricks of the trade in the comments below!  Universal Site Services is the leading provider of lot sweeping services for any size parking lot or property.