Property maintenance is a broad term that involves a wide variety of duties, not limited to repairs and cleaning. While tenants are responsible for maintain the condition of their unit, and building owners are responsible for providing the budget for building repairs, the property manager does own most of the maintenance tasks from finding tenants, setting and collecting rent, to managing maintenance and repairs, and supervising building employees.
Tenants and Rent
First and foremost, property managers are responsible for managing tenants and collecting rent. More specifically, they are required to find and screen tenants, handle leases, manage complaints and emergencies, deal with moves, and handle evictions. Indeed, property management company must ensure that units are occupied by qualified individuals by advertising the property appropriately, screening tenants by running background checks and employment checks, and even managing leases by setting their lengths and provisions. In addition, in case of complaint or emergency, your property manager is your problem solver. They are employed to take and resolve maintenance requests, noise complaints, and other emergencies. When a tenant vacates the property or needs to be evicted, the property manager deals with this as well. S/he will inspect the property to ensure there is no damage and determine the security deposit to be refunded while also initiating and conducting evictions.
Moreover, during tenancy, your property manager is required to maintain rents as well. S/he will set the initial rent and ensure collection throughout the tenancy. If rents need adjustment, it is the property manager’s responsibility to make changes according to municipal law. More about services & fees
Repairs and Maintenance
Another major duty of property managers is to ensure the quality and safety of the building. This will include regular inspections of common areas to verify that everything is operating correctly. They are responsible for initiating emergency repairs in a timely manner as well as performing preventative property maintenance so the building is always in its best condition. They must either conduct or hire professionals to conduct pest control, roof maintenance, landscaping, snow and trash removal, and any other maintenance tasks required. Whenever a need for repair arises, your property manager must attend to it either by conducting the repairs or hiring a professional to do so. Property managers should have a large network of professionals they can contact including plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and other trades-persons.
The Law
Finally, property managers are responsible for knowing and understanding local laws governing landlord-tenant relationships. When it comes to managing tenants, your property manager should have thorough knowledge with respect to screening a tenant, collecting security deposits and rents, ending a tenancy, evicting a tenant, and general safety standards.
Ultimately, the property manager should act in the best interests of the building owner to ensure the safe and fair operation of the building. As an owner, you should have little responsibility over the building as your property manager is on site and has the required skills and abilities to keep your building in good shape and your tenants happy.