Blog Post

5 Common Tenant Calls that Property Managers Handle

Dustin Edwards • February 28, 2020

Are these the tenant calls you want to handle?

Top Tenant Phone Calls
When you have your first rental in Long Beach one of the first considerations that many owners have is should they lease and manage the property themselves or should they hire a property management company? The topic of whether to hire a property management company or manage it yourself is a larger discussion but one item that might help is understanding what types of calls do property managers handle?

Before we share our top items one aspect to remind yourself, especially if this is your first rental, is that a tenant should have the ability to reach you when it is convenient for them and to get items repaired in a timely manner. Many of our rentals in Long Beach are single family homes. People transitioning from an apartment to renting a home are used to having a manager on-site or easily accessible and when that home is your rental be prepared to be accessible. So what exactly are the common calls?

  • There is water all under my sink”- Oh the dishwasher! It is a wonderful item of convenience but when it goes bad it can go bad and wreck your cabinets. Be prepared to handle not only replacing a dishwasher but the inevitable repair of cabinets that can occur when it goes bad.
  • I only have cold water” - Water heaters are one of those systems that people have little patience for dealing with. When a water heater goes out no one wants to deal with taking cold showers. Whether you have a tankless or a traditional water heater this one is one to be prepared for.
  • I’m locked out” - Yes, believe it or not this is more common than you would think. It could be as simple as someone locked the door handle, left in a hurry and didn’t realize they locked their keys until they got home at night. Be prepared to have an extra set of keys on hand to help your tenant get back to enjoying your property.
  • My toilet or sink is backed up” - No matter how new the toilet and plumbing is this is a very real possibility. It could be something as simple where a plunger suffices or it could be something more like replacement of a garbage disposal or something major like needing to replace a mainline. When you are managing your own property make sure to have at least two trusted plumbers at the ready that you can call.
  • It seems like a socket is working” - In the era of everything needing more power you will hear quickly if one of the electrical sockets isn’t working. While your gut reaction might be “can’t you use another one”? the reality is that they all need to work. For a job like this you could call an electrician or even a handyman as the job is smaller.
These are just a fraction of the calls you could receive. Reducing tenant calls comes down to an efficient tenant screening process and ensuring the property is kept in top shape that allows the tenant enjoy a long rental period at the property.

When you want to find out more about the calls we can handle when you have your property managed by Beach Cities Property Management we invite you to call us at (562) 888-0247 to see how we answer your call. If you prefer we can we can perform a free rental analysis on your property to see if you are maximizing your rental income.


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By Dustin Edwards December 19, 2024
If you're properties are suffering from lack of heating this winter, these 3 common issues could be the cause.
By Dustin Edwards December 12, 2024
Although Southern California’s winters are typically mild when compared to other parts of the country, tenants still value a warm home during the cooler months. Taking steps to maintain a comfortable living environment shows your tenants that their needs are being prioritized. This is crucial for tenant satisfaction, especially during the holidays. Below are three methods to help keep tenants warm during the winter season. Maintain Heating System It's required for landlords to provide rentals with a working heating system, however, it's not uncommon for these to fall into disrepair either because of lack of maintenance or negligence. Scheduling regular inspections and maintenance before the coldest weather can help to ensure the heating is reliable and efficient. Cleaning air filters, and checking for cold spots, or irregular noises can help prevent small issues from escalating into expensive repairs. Preventative maintenance can help to reduce the chances of inconvenient calls for emergency repairs. Being proactive with your maintenance can also help you protect your investment while earning goodwill from your tenant. Another factor that can affect your heating system is drafts around windows and doors. These drafts can cause your heating system to overwork which makes the system less efficient, and reliable and ultimately reduces the lifespan of your heating system. You can address this by inspecting the seals around doors and windows for gaps or cold spots. Replace worn-out seals and caulking where it's needed. Offer Smart Thermostats Consider providing your tenants with a smart thermostat for energy-efficient heating. This can not only give tenants control over their comfort, but it's also a great tool to reduce energy usage. By providing this upgrade to your tenant, you show a commitment to your tenant’s satisfaction which can in turn result in a long-term tenant. These kinds of devices definitely benefit your tenants, though they can also contribute to the longevity of your rental property as well. Additionally, you can give your tenant a smart thermostat as a holiday gift . This can show your tenant that you’re not simply collecting rent while protecting your investment. Reverse Ceiling Fans The direction in which a ceiling fan rotates is oftentimes overlooked, and it can have a great effect on the temperature of a home. A ceiling fan is typically seen as a way to cool down a home during the hotter seasons without using the air conditioning . Reversing the spin of a ceiling fan can help to circulate warm air more efficiently during the cold season . This is because warm air rises, and a fan rotating clockwise will push the warm air back down helping maintain warm temperatures. Most fans have a switch on the motor and it is easily accessible for most people with a step ladder. This easy adjustment helps reduce the need for your tenant to use the heating system. Tenants will notice a more consistent and comfortable temperature indoors. This should also help reduce costs on their energy bill. Reversing the rotation of the ceiling fans also takes some of the strain off of the heating system. This helps to ensure it operates efficiently for years by reducing the wear and tear on it. Taking proactive steps this winter season to ensure your tenant’s comfort demonstrates a landlord’s commitment to their tenant’s comfort. A comfortable tenant is a satisfied tenant , which can lead to a long-term tenant and steady rental income. Consider it a small investment for long-term success. If you need help keeping your rental warm or managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
By Dustin Edwards December 5, 2024
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