Your process to handle tenant maintenance requests (in 2017!)

[Ralph Plumley]

Hey BP!

What's your process currently to handle maintenance request from your tenant?

Specific software system? Strictly email or phone call or a combination of both?

I'm looking for recommendations that would work for a mobile device. It could be a ticketing system on a responsive website viewed through the phone too.

Thanks!

Ralph

[Dave Carpenter]

Ralph, it does depend on how many tenants. For my 8 units o use text and email. Easiest for the tenants, and it's in writing. I have made a point to ask my tenants to put the requests in writing (so I can remember). It's also helpful to have a fast medium like email and text so I can ask follow Up questions. Often someone will say that their sink is leaking with no detail. I can then follow up and ask where, or for pictures depending on the tenants. For me being 30 mins away, I'd want to understand the tools I need, and the time it takes before driving down there.
I have found tenants have little interest into conforming to systems I'd want to use. Plus I don't want to have to login to websites all the time either. Most repairs are locks don't work, sink is clogged, etc. Doesn't need a fancy systems to get a few sentences of info and take care of it. Easy is certainly a factor for me, and the tenants.