Property Management Issue - Worcester, MA

[Alan Lambkin]

Hello,

I own a triplex in Worcester, and have had a PM in place since I purchased it June. After a long and messy eviction, I was hoping to get back on track but rents are coming in later and later each month and I have questioned a large expense several times, which I did not approve. I have emailed PM several times with no response. I email everything as I learned to have a paper trail for all communications. I just  got my Oct rent statement and find several emergency work orders for a broken oven and broken heater. I find it odd that I find out about a gas leak from my statement...

I think I just  answered my own question, but should I dump these guys and find a new PM? 

Any recommendations in the Worcester area? I just want someone that wants to work with me and can communicate.  This is my first investment but I hope to have more and I need to find a good PM before I can do that.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

-Alan

[Beverly Meola]

@Alan Lambkin , check your management agreement for spending authorization limits.  If you authorized the PM to complete repairs under a certain dollar threshold then he's just doing what you hired him to do unless you specifically asked him to communicate all repairs.  

He might also complete major repairs without your approval that would be deemed an emergency.  My management contract states "An emergency is defined as any event or occurrence that relates to the health, welfare or safety of the Tenants or the general public or is necessary to preserve the Property from material damage."  Even in the case of an emergency, he should have communicated any emergency repairs to you before the monthly statement.  

As much as I would like to say you should dump your PM and hire me, I think it's good business to at least be sure he knows what issues you have with his services by clearly stating what you think he's done wrong to see how he intends to remedy the situation. If you've been pretty clear about the issues and are getting no apologies then that's a different story.