Common Multifamily Rental Repairs That Every Landlord Should Be Prepared For

Multifamily properties continue to be an excellent investment because they produce consistent passive income for owners but, as with single-family properties, there will be common repairs that every owner should be prepared for.

In this article, we’ll list some of the most common repairs at multifamily properties, and what landlords should do to prepare for them.

Repair #1 – Multifamily Appliances Not Working

One of the most common repairs at a multi-family property is when the appliances (dishwasher, stove, microwave, or refrigerator) stop working.

If those appliances are older and haven’t been replaced in several years, they should be replaced with newer/used appliances because used appliances can last for up to five years, and they cost significantly less than the newer appliances.

Thanks to the Internet, any landlord can search for a used appliance store online within minutes and save money on adding replacement appliances to the units in their Portland multifamily properties.

Repair #2 – Water Leaks

One of the most dreaded calls that any landlord can get is when the tenant reports a water leak, either from the ceiling, windows, or pipes in the house.

When these calls come, it’s best to resolve them immediately because, water leaks in a multifamily unit can lead to mold growth, and with mold, a landlord has an entirely different set of problems that also must be resolved immediately.

In some cases, a tenant’s report of a water leak could be excess condensation inside the unit during the winter months but, if it’s determined that there is indeed a legitimate water leak from the pipes, windows, or ceiling, the landlord should contact a plumbing contractor immediately to get those leaks fixed.

Repair #3 – Water Heater Not Working

Let’s face it, everyone likes to have a hot shower or bath, and when they’re unable to take their hot shower or bath, the average tenant will be quick to call the landlord just to let them know that the water heater is not working.

Water heater issues should also be resolved quickly because if tenants don’t have hot water to cook, bathe or do laundry, they will quickly become disgruntled.

Repair #4 – Bugs Within the Unit

Another common repair that landlords who own multifamily properties will face is when a tenant informs them that there are bugs within the rental property.

Bugs, rodents, or any other type of infestation should be also eliminated immediately because, when a tenant must watch where they step, this also affects their enjoyment of the rental property, and they won’t feel safe living there.

Repair #4 – Garbage Disposal Not Working

Garbage disposals are a common appliance in every single family, and multifamily property, in the nation and it’s not uncommon for them to stop working due to getting clogged with food, or the motor wearing out over time.

Thankfully, most garbage disposals can be repaired rather quickly, and even replaced within a timely manner.

Landlords should always move quickly on fixing broken appliances in their rental properties because one broken appliance may lead to the tenant wondering what other appliances are not working.

Repair #5 – Clogged Toilets

Another common repair that landlords should expect to face in their Portland Oregon multifamily properties are clogged toilets.

In many cases, a tenant can usually get a toilet unclogged by simply working with a plunger for a few minutes.

If the rental property does not have a plunger when the tenant moves in, the landlord should purchase a plunger and toilet brush kit for the tenant because this will encourage them to unclog the toilet themselves before considering calling the landlord.

Repair #6 – Furnace Stops Working

The furnace is by far one of the most important parts of a multi-family unit because, when it gets colder in the winter in Portland, every tenant is going to want to turn on their furnace to warm up their rental unit.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for landlords to get a lot of calls about non-working furnaces during the fall because most tenants will usually turn their furnaces on at night when it gets below 50 degrees outside.

Landlords should have all the furnaces in their properties inspected/tuned up during the fall because this will ensure that those furnaces are in proper working order during the winter months.

Repair #7 – Air Conditioner Stops Working

Last of all, but most important, another common Portland Oregon multifamily repair that landlords should prepare for is when the air conditioner in a tenant’s unit stops working.

No tenant likes to come home on a hot summer day to find that their rental property is as hot inside as it is outside.

The best thing when a tenant’s air conditioner stops working is to get it fixed immediately and schedule annual check-ups to ensure that the AC is working normally during the summer months.

Ultimately, the best thing that every DIY landlord in the Portland area can do is build a Vendor Matrix of trusted vendors that they can call 24/7, whenever their rental properties need maintenance or repairs.

For landlords who want to take a hands-off approach, and enjoy passive income from the rental properties, they should hire a property management company like Rent Portland Homes – Professionals.

Besides having a full property management team on staff to handle every aspect of management, we also have maintenance professionals on staff as well that can resolve maintenance issues at local rental properties quickly.

Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals

To learn more about the property management services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735, or clicking here to connect with us online.