Years ago, the ownership and management of apartment buildings were mostly unregulated. Apartment landlords were just about free to operate and rent out the property in any way that they saw fit.
In order to break into the business, you simply needed a little down payment money, an apartment building, and a lender.
In today’s world of expanded tenant rights, ownership and management of apartment buildings have now become highly regulated.
Not only do these new regulations pertain to the management of such properties, but they also directly relate to the service of the maintenance based on the needs of the tenants.
Let’s talk about apartment property maintenance.
Maintenance-Free is Non-Existent
While it is true that substantial advances have been made in construction materials, the finishes among paints, mechanical equipment, and the introduction of “maintenance-free” products, apartments are not maintenance-free.
These advancements have only lessened the amount of routine maintenance associated with apartment buildings. Though that’s helpful, they have not eliminated the necessity to maintain your property.
Not only is it inexpensive to engage in regular maintenance on your apartment building, but, it saves a lot of unnecessary and potentially legal consequences.
Today, maintenance supplies to perform regular tasks are less of an expense than having to fix the problems that come later if you don’t do regular maintenance.
In order to succeed in preventing major repairs and ensuring the beauty and comfort of your apartment building, it is necessary to create and properly apply a comprehensive maintenance plan.
The Maintenance Plan – A General Overview
It is important, whether you’re living in the apartment, or renting it and going through property management, to realize that each apartment building has its own uniqueness. Not all apartments are created equal.
Because of this, it’s essential to customize the approach of your maintenance plan as uniquely. This plan must address all aspects of a building and the systems, thereof.
This type of plan provides a general framework or system that is tailored to the apartment building’s requirements, the owner, the management team, the staff responsible for maintenance, and the tenants that reside within the structure.
It takes the overall condition of the building into consideration. It then outlines what is necessary in order to make certain that the building is safe, is clean, and provides decent shelter for those that elect to rent out an apartment.
Additionally, the maintenance plan is designed to ensure that all of the laws, policies, and codes on a local, state, and federal level are adhered to.
Types of Maintenance
In order to create a positive and productive property maintenance plan, you must understand that there are three main types of maintenance and ensure that the plan covers each of these types. According to property management professionals, these types include preventive, routine, and requested. Below, we have a general explanation of each:
- Preventative – This type of maintenance basically requires the completion of tasks that helps to avoid future issues. Examples include basic upkeep such as changing air conditioner filters, trimming trees close to the building, and keeping the landscape clear and free of debris. This type of maintenance helps to preserve the overall integrity of your apartment building.
- Routine – This type of maintenance is planned and scheduled and addresses tasks associated with wear and tear, non-emergency based repairs, and cleaning.
- Requested – This type of maintenance is either requested by the tenants of the apartment building or an employee. It is, typically, emergency-based. Examples include dealing with a plumbing leak, lock breakage, and/or a pest control issue.
Aims and Objectives
When creating your apartment property maintenance plan, you should create a highly systematic method to ensure the following aims and objectives:
- All maintenance activities of the apartment building should include a detailed schedule.
- There should be certain guidelines specified in the maintenance plan that all responsible should adhere to in order to ensure the overall effectiveness of the plan.
- Criteria should be included that allows for the evaluation and the quality control over the time, materials, and labor involved in the maintenance plan.
- Upkeep and the repairs of your apartment building should be created with a systematic schedule to reduce the amount of downtime that occurs as a result of maintenance.
- The property maintenance of your apartment building should include a set budget for various aspects of the property. Additionally, an emergency budget should be set up to deal with emergency situations when they arise so that monies from the other maintenance account does not dwindle.
When the maintenance plan is completed, it must be immediately implemented and placed within the manual pertaining to your property maintenance. Regular maintenance should start immediately and all involved should be held to a high level of accountability.
When new equipment, property renovations, or even changes in staffing occurs, the plan should be properly revised to reflect these situations. By taking the steps necessary to optimize maintenance in your structure, you are taking the steps necessary to prevent future issues and ensure the highest satisfaction among your tenants and the community where your apartment building is located.
If you need help with your property management, call the experts. Pioneer Property Management, Denver has helped our satisfied clients manage their real estate investments.
