How to Handle Maintenance during COVID-19

As a self-managing property owner, you may find that property maintenance is one of your biggest duties. Now, with COVID-19, property upkeep is more important than ever. Due to this global pandemic, it is extremely crucial that additional safety protocols are enforced as you practice property maintenance.

This virus is highly contagious. That’s why, it’s your duty to perform high quality property maintenance while ensuring you follow all the guidelines and protocols to ensure safety for all.

In this article, you will learn how to handle property maintenance during these challenging times. These guidelines will help you and your tenants stay safe. Not to mention, they will show your tenants that their health and well-being is your number one priority. As a result, it will strengthen your tenant-landlord relationship.

Find a variety of ways to communicate with your tenants

In these uncertain times, clearly communicating with your renters is greatly valued. Your tenants are likely feeling very anxious. You may consider sending them the following messages to alleviate their worries.

1. Explain that your objective is to create a calm atmosphere for them. Emphasize that your responsibilities as a property owner will not be remiss. You will stand by your duties and maintain the properties in a safe way. If there’s an emergency, they can still depend on you to offer excellent and quick services.
2. Tell them that safety protocols are enforced to provide them even more protection against the virus. Talking about the safety guidelines you have set will reassure them further that you’re on top of things and have prioritized their safety above all.
3. Share useful information from valid sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This will be a huge help for tenants who want to learn more about how they can stay safe. Your tenants will appreciate your extra effort in this critical period.

Be sure to reach out to your renters and let them know that you will always be available to chat with by phone call and email. Always answer their questions as soon as you can.

Implement preventative precautions when performing property maintenance

When you’re visiting a tenant’s unit, make sure to take precautions.

Here are measures you can implement to reduce your tenants’ anxieties and limit the spread of COVID-19:

1. Wash your hands: Frequently wash your hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds. This is crucial. Don’t just rely on hand sanitizers. If, for whatever reason, there is no water available, then resort to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. If you’re sending a maintenance staff to a unit, remind them to maintain cleanliness in their working area. Tell them to pack disinfectant and soap in their tool box, too.
2. Wear gloves: Always put on a new fresh pair of gloves upon entering a new rental unit. You may want to put them on in front of your tenants so that they feel more at ease. You must also disregard used gloves properly in order to prevent any contamination.
3. Wear safety and protective gear: Wear safety gear such as masks, PPE and shoe covers.
4. Stay home if you’re sick: If you have a runny nose, sore throat, fever or cough, stay home. Do not visit your tenant’s unit. If an emergency occurs, only fully healthy repairmen should attend to the urgent matter.

Have extra supplies on hand

Stock up on ready supplies such as masks, sanitizers and gloves. You never know when your presence is required in your tenant’s unit, so you must always be prepared with extra stock. That said, be mindful of others who also need essential supplies. Don’t go overboard. Be reasonable.

Factors to consider when responding to service requests during COVID-19

It’s normal that your typical way of conducting maintenance and repairs will change.

Here are a few factors to consider.

1. A phone call versus an in-person visit

Is a repair job simple enough for your tenant to fix on their own? Sometimes, you may be able to guide your tenants through easy instruction for simple repairs. This offers more protection and encourages healthy social distancing.

2. Essential versus non-essential repair

What constitutes an urgent case? You must be able to identify an essential repair from a non-essential one. It’s best to prioritize the essential repairs and schedule the minor ones for a later date.

3. Presence of children at home

Since schools are closed, all children are at home. When your maintenance staff or contractor is conducting repairs, remind them to be extra careful. Some kids may be curious and touch the tools. This can lead to unforeseen accidents.

4. Working quietly

Many employees are working remotely from home. This means that the tenants will require peace and quiet to concentrate. Remind the repairman to be extra sensitive and to strive for minimal intrusion.

5. Reassuring your tenants

In this crisis, maintenance work can cause a lot of anxiety for your tenants. Let them know that you’re implementing safety measures while performing the maintenance and repairs. This will reassure them that their safety is prioritized.

Bottom Line

All of these safety precautions can seem overwhelming for a self-managing property owner, but they are absolutely necessary.

If self-managing during this pandemic is too challenging, we would love to help. Cavalier Property Management offers excellent services that will provide you with peace of mind. Our professional expertise and well-implemented safety protocols will ensure you and your tenants stay protected during this difficult time.

Contact us today for more information.