--24.5.xxx.xxx

At the end of the day, this is on you. --50.107.xxx.xx

...for letting it go on you mean, without checking...? --24.5.xxx.xxx

I don't see that as his job,that is up to you to periodically check on things or expect to pay him if you want him to go through the place periodically.I have 2 managers currently and they both tell me almost every one they manage for gets mad if they spend any money fixing anything. --72.231.xxx.xxx

we are not mad for spending money on repairs, we are upset that we paid him to let us know when repairs were needed. --24.5.xxx.xxx

...and that wasn't done... --24.5.xxx.xxx

Fix and move on. No "ya b*utts" --99.203.xx.xx

You sound emotional about this. I would consider taking a step back and reviewing the contract you had with this person. Is this a miscommunication because your expectations and the manager’s expectations do not match? Were you requiring walk thrus or property inspections with a check list that you paid the manager to do and report back to you? That type of rot doesn’t happen overnight. Even managers need managing. When was the last time you or your partner had eyes on the property? We have an out of state condo with a condo property manager and a short term rental property manager. Even so, we are there several times a year checking on it, scheduling maintenance, etc. --24.61.xxx.xx

I usually will tell them that when we first discuss managing the properties too - if they just want the rent collected and won't or are not looking to keep the place up - then go find someone else to do that for you. --69.201.xx.xxx

thanks for that gentle response NH. I'm not emotional particularly, just surprised. Yes, I think it is a matter of mis-matched expectations. And yes, no doubt, we need to either sell or get up there more often. Thanks. --24.5.xxx.xxx

Your PM didn't check things periodically. If I waited for tenants to tell me something was wrong, the leaks would go on and the houses would have fallen down already. Not sure what their issue is with reporting problems before they are an immediate emergency. So I would find a new PM right now so that you can get him/her when you find out when the contract is up. Then I would make my phone number known to tenants so they could reach me if the PM is not helping them. --173.61.xxx.xx

Whether a property manager or a maintenance man/handyman, I have experienced that if you want a positive experience with your desired outcome(s) then it is crucial to put a plan in place, set the course and expectations and then on the front end do a lot of checking in and fine tuning around expectations.(and then regularly check in; builds strength and accountability) If I just hand over all the responsibility to someone and dont really check in much again, it always ends in my frustration. One of my new tenants recently negotiated himself into renting one of my units, selling me on an inspiring deal of him being onsite oversight of the properties, maintenance and repairs, etc. I continued to check back on things that he had done or not done, providing feedback and ultimately telling him I needed him up his game in attention to detail and went over my expectations in detail. We did this for a number of areas and now I have decided it is just not a fit. I believe he has decent intentions but his skills were oversold and his attention detail and mine are completely different. Fortunately I did not lose a ton of time nor stay in denial for too long, just a bunch of unmet expectations and call backs. I now have another professional handyman I am bringing on board. You say you've had this PM for six years, just curious how often you've done site visits and met with PM, refining your expectations and/or providing feedback? I would think most healthy professionals are receptive to feedback and will use it to improve how they perform their work and role for you but it is a relationship and they need you to give feedback and guidance or they can get complacent and assume all is well (as I have done before as well). --172.58.xx.x

This seems normal to me, lots of lazy commission managers in my area, you would have found out when the tenant ripped off skin and went to emergency for shots and stitches. --76.188.xxx.xx

Bootcamp - there should have been systems in place checking/verifying things were OK. Bootcamp example - annual letter to tenants asking what ONE thing we can do to improve (fyi this helps with retention). You would have found out about stairs/repairs a while ago & PM deficiencies. The steps rotted over a long period of neglect. --66.87.xxx.xxx

Bootcamp - there should have been systems in place checking/verifying things were OK. Bootcamp example - annual letter to tenants asking what ONE thing we can do to improve (fyi this helps with retention). You would have found out about stairs/repairs a while ago & PM deficiencies. The steps rotted over a long period of neglect. --66.87.xxx.xxx

Bootcamp - there should have been systems in place checking/verifying things were OK. Bootcamp example - annual letter to tenants asking what ONE thing we can do to improve (fyi this helps with retention). You would have found out about stairs/repairs a while ago & PM deficiencies. The steps rotted over a long period of neglect. --66.87.xxx.xxx

A simple solution would be to ask if your PM would provide an annual inspection report with pictures. Nothing fancy, just pictures with a few words about condition, repairs needed, and/or components on remaining life expectancy on major elements of the property. This would ensure to you that he is doing an annual inspection and would provide you with some details to help plan for expensive repairs that are coming like a new roof. --50.26.xx.xxx

Once all the faucets are replaced to ceramic disc washer less along with toilets are changed to Niagara flapper less a lot of problems are eliminated. So a repair only comes up once in while. It is your money or someone else money which is going to be managed better. The smoke alarms can be changed to wired with battery back up along with the heating system can be automated. After a few improvements then it is only meeting up for up for vacant rental units along with arranging to have cleaning, repairs and lawn done by outside contractors. Found when quit full time job was then focus entirely on rental complexes. Was able to buy at Habitat for Humanity restores, delay the garbage pick up by compressing down from every week to once a month. So it is tough decision when to make the change to becoming a full time rental housing provider. --147.194.xxx.xx

For the clients that refused to keep things up, I had to let them go because I didn't want the liability if something happened. Like replacing steps, lighting, cracked concrete, etc. --47.156.xx.xx