With any maintenance issues that come to your attention this winter/ spring, or during any season for that matter, it’s always important to report it to your property manager! You might as well ask, just in case, instead of risking it! In fact, fixing a smaller problem now can easily prevent major problems that may arise later. When you ask for your issue to be resolved, please make sure it is properly the responsibility of the landlord to fix; if it is something that has been caused by normal wear and tear, no problem, we’re on it – but if it is something you have done to the home yourself, while you should still call in your request, be forewarned that you may be required to pay for all/ or some of the repairs out of pocket.
Whenever a maintenance request arises, be sure to inform PRANDI (or your landlord, if there is no property management company involved) what the issue is, and to ask for it to be repaired. Please note: PRANDI recommends having ALL maintenance requests in writing. PRANDI work orders can easily be submitted online (www.prandiprop.com) – under the Tenant Section, there is an area to type in your Work Order Maintenance Request. Depending on the urgency of the issue, there will be a time frame set up with you so you know, approximately, when we will be at your property to fix the matter. If it’s something like a clogged sink, you’ll want to call/ email your maintenance department immediately to have it taken care of before it turns into an even larger problem. Something that may not be as urgent may be put a little farther down on PRANDI’s TO-DO list if other tenants are calling/ emailing in with more pressing matters, but it WILL be taken care of nonetheless. No matter the urgency, your maintenance issues ARE important to us, and we will try to get them taken care of as soon as possible!
Please remember that sometimes maintenance workers will need to enter your property. If you give written permission for this to happen, more often than not, your request can move forward quickly. Often times our maintenance crews work the same hours you may, so sometimes they will have to enter without you in the home (especially if it’s an urgent matter that needs to be dealt with immediately) and in which case, they will need your approval to enter your home without you there. If you want to be present at the time of their entrance, be sure to be patient, as it is sometimes difficult to find a time that will work for everyone involved.
The same is true, that sometimes patience is needed to connect you with your property manager when making your maintenance request in the first place. If your landlord, or manager, has not responded to your email, phone call, or other similar message be sure to try again. Sometimes they get caught up in the other emergencies or pressing matters at hand, but they most likely did not forget about you. If, when enough time has passed, your issue has not be taken care of, just give another friendly reminder call to your landlord or management company and let them know you’re still waiting.
If there has been a misunderstanding and you feel that the property managers/ landlords have not responded well to your request, please DO NOT withhold your rent until they respond to you, or you could face an eviction notice. Be sure to ALWAYS pay your rent in a timely manner. Whenever anyone withholds rent, for any reason at all, it is always a nightmare when it comes to balancing the accounting books! Sometimes in smaller maintenance requests (and ONLY when your management company or landlord gives the OK beforehand), it does work to have a pre-arranged agreement that you may purchase some item yourself and be reimbursed for it. Once again, DO NOT take the money out of your rent. It is much easier to pay your rent in full, turn in copies of your receipts from the transaction, and have those reimbursed SEPARATELY. Once again, this is only sometimes the case, and is ALWAYS done ONLY with the pre-approval of the manager and owner of the property. So, make sure you don’t withhold any money of your rent!
Again, be sure to notify your landlord or your property managers of any maintenance issues you may face, preferably in writing. Sometimes the winter months bring out more issues, what with the wet weather and the natural effects of nature. So make sure you report any fallen limbs, leaks, or broken heaters (or ANY other maintenance issues) so we can make sure you’re warm, safe and sound in your rental home in these upcoming winter months!
Owners, if you don’t have a property manager to do it for you – be sure you clear all property drains and gutters before the leaves start clogging them, make sure the heater filters have been cleaned or replaced, and make sure your tenant knows how to reach you in case of an emergency!
PRANDI Property Management, Inc., CRMC recommends keeping all maintenance requests in writing – Be sure to visit http://prandiprop.com/?page=tenants_maintenance to see what our Maintenance Work Order page looks like!
