The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be getting better, but it’s still not over. Even while vaccines become more widely available, health experts have said that social distancing and safety precautions are still critical in stopping the spread of a virus that has upended the way we live and work for more than a year.
We are happy to begin seeing signs of normalcy, but at Amoso Properties, safety is still our primary concern. Today, we’re sharing some of the best practices we’ve embraced when it comes to taking care of maintenance requests at your St. Louis rental property.
Maintenance Responsiveness is Still Important
Protecting the condition of your investment and increasing tenant retention depends on being responsive to maintenance. That’s still important, even while paying special attention to flexibility and safety during the repair process. We have continued responding to our tenants’ requests for repairs and maintenance. Emergency repairs and habitability issues are always priorities, and we won’t wait to address those issues. For routine and non-emergency repairs, many owners have slowed down and re-prioritized what’s being done and what’s being put on a list for later. That’s okay. We have been strategic in how we schedule and follow up on maintenance work.
When repairs are scheduled, we ask our residents and our vendors to take some extra steps and safety precautions. No one is pushing back on this; everyone wants to stay safe. Most vendors find it’s easier to do the work (and faster) when tenants aren’t home. This makes social distancing and contact-free service much easier.
Educate St. Louis Tenants on the Maintenance Process
Some of your tenants may still be nervous about people coming into their homes, even if it’s to fix something. That’s understandable, and we have been sympathetic to that. However, we don’t want to see maintenance costs rising in the future due to deferred and unreported issues.
Even if tenants don’t want you to respond right away, you still want them to report any needed repairs or replacements. Communicate with your tenants that they should continue to report any routine maintenance issues, just as they always have.
Continue Requiring Gloves, Masks, and Distance
Whether it’s an emergency repair or general maintenance, you’ll have to have your vendors inside your tenant’s home eventually. There are a few things you can do to keep everyone safe. Ask tenants not to be home during the repair. If they are going to be there, ask that they and the vendors wear masks and stay at least six feet apart. Gloves should also be worn when possible, and extra cleaning may be required before and after someone enters the home.
If you’re inside the property inspecting, take extra photos to document the condition of your property. Disinfect any high-touch areas like counters and appliances. Provide wipes and sanitizer when you can.
The COVID pandemic has required all of us to think about St. Louis property management in new ways. Those of us who can be creative with solutions are finding that we’re far more prepared for a crisis like this.
If you’d like to talk about how to safely maintain your rental property, please contact us at Amoso Properties.
