Property Manager Repair Issue

[Manco Snead]

Greetings all,

I would greatly appreciate some feedback regarding an issue I'm having with my property manager. I own a duplex, which I've hired out the managing of as I live out of the area. Early September, while I was visiting the town where my duplex is located, I noticed a few shingles missing from the roof. I contacted my property manager, he had someone look at, who said the roof looked great but did need a couple shingles replaced (I know for a fact the roof is in good shape; has about 8 years left). I made the mistake of not making the prop. manager commit to a time frame for the repair as he is usually pretty on top of things. Now, a month later, the roof shingles are still not fixed, though he says the repair will happen in the next week.

The issue: the duplex is in the Seattle area, which has been hammered by rain over the last month. So, some of that water may have seeped into the roof from where the missing shingle pieces are. Has anyone had an issue with their prop. manager similar to this? How did/would you handle it in terms of holding the prop. manager accountable for potential roof damage?

Thanks so much.

[Marcia Maynard]

Look to your contract with your property manager. You both need to be on the same page as to what maintenance and repair he will cover and what you need to be involved in. Find out what the property manager is up against, as well as any outside constraints or barriers to getting the job done. Agree to a reasonable time frame. He needs to keep you posted about the progress. At this juncture, you may need to be more involved in the process of getting the roof fixed, inspection and damage mitigation. Work as a team.