Trinity, FL · Member since 2016 · 209 posts · 57 votes
I am still learning the ropes of real estate investing, currently i have PM that manage all of my rentals, but i have been looking at trying out self managing recently after listening to some podcast and readings. One podcast recently i listened to mentioned that he self manages all his properties to save on the PM fees, but he has some sort of policy with the local utilities that basically gives his tenants a 24hr number to call if something was to happen to say a frig or hvac... he even mentioned it covered a clogged toilet..
I am curious what exactly is this such policy he is talking about, because the way he worded it, it sounded like he took most of the headache out of the job with this and he just worries about getting new tenants and collecting rent... he said the policy was cheaper than just keeping a handyman on call to do the repairs..
Sterman, MI · Member since 2017 · 378 posts · 306 votes
7y
Be careful with appliance warranties from power companies. Some don't cover much. I would set up service people and call them yourself. It you get lots of calls for appliance repairs you might want to update your appliances or your tenants.
Investor · Verona, NJ · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 832 votes
7y
William,
Some utility companies have warranty/ service agreements that you pay for every month, i do not know how fast they would come out to repair stuff. i know here in NJ our Gas/ Electric provider, PSEG, has such a program but you pay for it monthly whether you use it or not, i don't know if they do minor stuff, mostly larger appliances. but that may be different with the utility co. by you.
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
7y
I know some Landlords that establish a good relationship with a trusted electrician, plumber, etc. They give tenants permission to contact those individuals directly any time they are unavailable.
Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
7y
@William Huston you shouldn't be overwhelmed by calls for appliance, plumbing or HVAC problems. I have nine properties and I probably get one such call every other month. The other type of calls I get are, "would you pay to replace this ceiling fan" or "can I paint this room". Those are upgrade calls, where nothing is wrong but tenant wants to improve something. Rent collection should be fairly painless, especially with proper screening and if you setup online rent payment. The most time consuming activity is renting units.
I would not be scared of getting calls. Just have a good HVAC, plumber, electrician and handyman at your disposal. You can dispatch someone pretty easily and then you can monitor the scope of work being done. Letting tenants work directly with service staff is a mistake in my opinion.
Sterman, MI · Member since 2017 · 378 posts · 306 votes
7y
Be careful with appliance warranties from power companies. Some don't cover much. I would set up service people and call them yourself. It you get lots of calls for appliance repairs you might want to update your appliances or your tenants.