What if you're not handy???

[Michael Healy]

So, something has always bugged me a little bit reading these forums and blog posts. If someone is self managing a few MFH, why does everyone seem to feel they have to run over at 3am to deal with a clogged toilet? What if you're just not handy and/or don't particularly care to be on call in that way? Aren't there emergency plumbers or handymen who can be hired for quick urgent jobs? Tell me about your solutions that are midway between full on property management and being chief cook and bottle washer for your tenants every whim? Also, is there a point where it's up to the tenants to solve their own problems and how do you draw that line--eg if there's noise or loud music in the neighborhood or other quality of life issues that don't apply to the physical integrity and function of the property. When do you say, "I'm sorry you're going through that; let me know how it works out of if you need additional ideas." or "let me put you in touch with a good handyman." I feel like the choice between full PM and self management is painted in drastic black and white terms. Surely there's a middle ground? Tell me your stories!

[Thomas S.]

There is a middle ground of course. It comes from experience more than anything else. It is also very much about training tenants. Training tenants is the primary responsibility of a landlord and designed to make a landlords life easier.

I would never allow a tenant to do service work nor would I ever allow a tenant to call a repair tech directly. The risk of abuse by tenants is far to high to ever allow any tenant those discretionary powers.

It is rare you get calls that require immediate responses aside from giving  advice over the phone. Repair techs are rarely available the same day so in most cases it is a situation where either you or a tech will be out the next day. It is no different than being a home owner and having issues.

Imagine yourself in the position of being a home owner and requiring repair work to be done. You do not call and expect a service person there immediately. The exceptions would be issues such as heat in the winter. These types of issues usually have 24 hr service but still require some time to respond.

As a self managing landlord you can opt for fully hands on, having a call list of reliable repair techs to call or a combination but the majority will still be next day service at best. You will learn that it is extremely rare that any issue requires immediate attention.