Hello Everyone!

I have been managing SFH rentals for years now with a list of reliable contractors and handyman that I can trust. However all maintenance request still come to me directly. It doesn't take up much time but I would like to be more hands off.

I need a good system that connect tenant to the right repair person instead of routing through me. Is there an Apps or service where I can set up the repair person info and have the freedom to make changes on my end. So tenant just need to pick the type of repair when he/she makes the request, and right repair person gets a text, they can then make appointment directly with each other. I want to be hands off and watch from the sideline, only step in when needed.

I am planning to take extended trips after the pandemic. What are some of your biggest management challenges while you are travelling? How do you handle mail services and city code violation letters? I am thinking of hiring some one to check my mails box. Wondering if there are better options.

I have done showings and signed new tenants on the road. Not my favorite thing to do.. No, I am not hiring property manager, I don't trust any.

I just had two landlords loose their shirts because they kept themselves out of the loupe and had the tenant contact the handyman/contractor directly. A $100 repair turned into a $2,500 bill.

Here is an example because you think this can't happen to you.

A - The power went out to the tenants garage and they couldn't get to their car, no work.

B - The tenant called the buildings handyman.

C - The handyman fixed the electrical feed to the garage, but he garage door still didn't open. The Handyman said, you'll need to call a garage door company - he didn't know how to open the garage or re-program the remote controls.

D - The tenant know the manager/owner can't be bothered with repairs so they called a local garage door company.

E - The garage door company came and wrote up an estimate, new opener, new emergency release on all of the garages in the complex, and misc. other stuff. Bill, $2,500. Tenant had the guy do the work!

Owner flipped out, I didn't authorize a $2,500 repair bill! Owner calls me. "Robert was this necessary"? I responded, "No, had you given your new tenant the keys to the garage's emergency release, the tenant could have gotten their car out of the garage and your handyman could have pushed the re-program button and got the remotes to work! Or you tenant could have read the make and model of the opener and downloaded the instruction manual how to reprogram the remotes".

So if you have your tenants handle things...be prepared to be fired as the manger for spending crazy money to doa simple job...

I agree with Robert J in that that is putting too much control into tenants hands.

How many units are we talking about?

See if you can find a fellow landlord that has a similar philosophy as yours who will take your maintenance requests for a small fee. Give them the OK to approve a certain list of repairs or a certain price limit without consulting with you and another list that they have to consult with you on. There was a time I would have done this as a service for other LL's. I know of another LL in my area who would do this today.

Thank you for all the feedback and suggestions.

I own around 20 homes. I don't mean let the tenant and handyman make all decisions. Contractors always need to get approved from me before fixing large issues else they won't get paid. They are only authorized to fix standard minor repairs such as leaky faucet, bad garbage disposal, broken garage spring, where involving me will not add any value but only slow the process especially while I am travelling.

Currently, all tenants are instructed to double check breakers, change ac filters, check batteries etc before I send out the repair crew otherwise they will be billed for unnecessary trip. Repair crew also double check again before they schedule appt with tenants. So they know the drill. Have worked with all our repair man and contractors for 5-15 years.

I don't intent to be totally hands off, I don't trust any one with that. I am only trying to supervise on the side more, then jump in and take over on serious issues.

Thank you for all the feedback and suggestions.

I own around 20 homes. I don't mean let the tenant and handyman make all decisions. Contractors always need to get approved from me before fixing large issues else they won't get paid. They are only authorized to fix standard minor repairs such as leaky faucet, bad garbage disposal, broken garage spring, where involving me will not add any value but only slow the process especially while I am travelling.

Currently, all tenants are instructed to double check breakers, change ac filters, check batteries etc before I send out the repair crew otherwise they will be billed for unnecessary trip. Repair crew also double check again before they schedule appt with tenants. So they know the drill. Have worked with all our repair man and contractors for 5-15 years.

I don't intent to be totally hands off, I don't trust any one with that. I am only trying to supervise on the side more, then jump in and take over on serious issues.

First get a google voice account for the tenants to text/call. That way you can route it to others to answer as needed. Then hire someone to take the calls, notify the appropriate trades, schedule, and follow-up with the tenants.

Thanks MikeA! Great idea hiring a stay at home mom as assistant and checking the Google Voice transcript to keep an eye. Google Voice is free and flexible to reroute the number back to me once I return.

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