How are you performing preventive maintenance right now?

[Kyle Keller]

As the title says, my question is how is everyone doing preventive maintenance right now? I would like to have someone inspect my property to see if there are any looming problems that should be fixed, but I don't want to send some stranger into my home and risk the health of all parties involved.

Does anyone have any tips? Would it be a good idea to plan a time when the tenants can be out of the home for a while and have a contractor go in and check it out, ensuring they minimize touching and where gloves?

All ideas welcome.

[Brett Sayers]

@Kyle Keller

1. Let the tenants know exactly what you would like to do and why. They may already have a list of things that they didn’t tell you about.

2. Give notice and schedule a time. In my limited experience, my tenants are grateful to have a landlord that pays attention and is actively maintaining the property.

3. Take whatever precautions you and the tenant feel necessary to protect from whatever may be lurking as a microbe.

4. Preform the maintenance.

I think the real root of this is actively communicating with the tenants. Minimal intrusion is helpful as well. I would stress to my tenants that preventing damage and maintaining the property is key to ensuring they have a safe and functional home to live in. I feel any reasonable person would understand that and you both could reach an agreement as to what can be done.