In Need Of A Property Maintenance Company? 4 Ways Any Landlord Can Find A Great Service

Choosing a property manager or maintenance service means choosing a key ally in your quest to be a good and profitable landlord. If you're long distance, you can't be there to oversee all your rental activities, so you need someone you can trust and count on. 

To help you find that person, here are 4 keys ways to choose the best property maintenance service.

Get Referrals. Talk with other landlords and tenants in the area to find out who they would recommend. This is a good time to develop a relationship with a local landlord association if you don't already have one. Check out your state's real estate commission, the Better Business Bureau, and online reviews as well. Referrals will help you weed out the top contenders very quickly and with little legwork on your end. 

Look at Their Properties. Once you have a few companies in mind, look at their current maintenance clients. Visit a few properties in question to assess how they are being maintained and what they look like when offered for rent. Talk with some of the renters if possible to see what they think of the maintenance and repair work. And check with the city for any recent issues or violations on such properties. 

Interview Managers. Make sure you're on the same page as the company by conducting a face-to-face interview. If using a service, identify who would be handling your properties so that you know with whom you would interact. What types of emergencies has the person or company handled? How do they respond to your big concerns and questions? What services do they provide and what are they willing to do over-and-above the usual? What licenses and certifications do they have? Questions like these will help you know if this manager fits your style and needs.

Understand the Service. Ask detailed questions about what services are provided — and which are not — before signing any contracts. Pay particular attention to such things as extra fees for certain services, hold-harmless agreements, your responsibilities as owner, requirements of advance notice, and compliance with local city and permit laws. Be sure to clarify anything you're not 100% sure you understand. 

By following these 4 tips, you can be sure you have found a property maintenance or management service that you can feel good about. And that's a benefit for both you and your renters alike. Contact a service, like Choice  Maintenance Group LLC, for more help.