How Neglected Repairs Can Cost You Big

Join Samantha Eason as she uncovers the often-neglected facet of property management that could be costing you thousands. Through a compelling story of a client whose minor maintenance oversight spiraled into a water damage crisis, Samantha spotlights the critical importance of proactive maintenance. This episode promises to equip property managers and investors with the insights needed to protect their assets. Discover how simple preventative measures, like resealing shower silicon, can save significant costs and stress.

As Samantha shares, relying solely on tenants to report issues can be a recipe for disaster. Many property managers fall into the trap of laziness or cost-cutting, overlooking routine maintenance and inspections. But ignoring these responsibilities can lead to expensive repairs and lost value. 

This episode is an urgent call to action for property managers to adopt an active, diligent approach to safeguard investments and maintain property integrity. Don't miss out on learning the essential steps to avoid common pitfalls and ensure the longevity of your properties.

If you have any questions or scenarios you would like us to discuss on an upcoming episode, please email samantha.eason@exclusivelymanaged.com.au or visit https://www.exclusivelymanaged.com.au/

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:34

Welcome back to Talking Property Management, the podcast that dives into the ins and outs of real estate investment. Full transparency here. I'm not hiding anything. We obviously talk about property management and everything in between. I'm Samantha Eason, and today we're tackling a problem that's more common than you might think Property managers who fail to take care to notice routine maintenance. What happens when the little things get ignored? Spoiler alert it's never just little for long. Let me share a story about a client I spoke to recently that perfectly outlines this problem for you.

Speaker 1: 1:22

The other day I was talking to a new client who owns a rental property with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and in those two bathrooms are two showers. Simple enough, right? The tenants moved in a few months ago and everything seemed to be going smoothly. But here's the thing no one not the old tenants, not the property manager at the exit, or not the property manager at the entry noticed or reported a glaring maintenance issue. That was right in front of them, and unfortunately this happens a lot. The silicon in one of the showers had started lifting. Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the impact of something like this, let me explain. When the silicon around a shower seal starts to lift. It's like opening a floodgate for leaks. Water gets under the tiles, it starts seeping into the walls and, before you know it, you're dealing with waterproofing and structural damage, mold repair bills that could have easily been avoided with a simple fix early on. In this case, it was easily noticeable to the naked eye, but it still went unattended for months and I'm talking when the previous tenants were at the property when the routine inspections were getting done. You can imagine the frustration for the property owner when they found out that this issue had escalated. And it's the kind of preventable problem that happens when property managers don't actively check on routine maintenance. Now, it's not a rare case. Many property managers rely on tenants to report issues, but I'm going to be the first person to admit this. Tenants don't know what to look for, and in some cases, they might not even report issues right away or at all. They don't realize the severity. They're probably too busy. Either way, it's up to the property manager to stay on top of these things, especially when something as simple as routine inspections of areas like bathrooms, kitchens, where water damage is a common risk.

Speaker 1: 3:51

So let's talk about why routine maintenance is so crucial. Routine maintenance is so crucial. Property managers who fail to keep an eye on things can cost investors significantly in the long run. What starts as a minor issue like lifting silicon in a shower can snowball into major damage if it's left unchecked. Water damage can lead to structural weakening of walls and floors, mold growth, which is a health hazard, and a huge expense to repair expensive repair costs that go far beyond what would have been needed for a simple re-silicon job. In the case of my client's property, the problem had grown large enough that it's not just a matter of reapplying silicon. It's now a big job involving leak damage and potential repairs to the surrounding area. The cost difference is thousands, but it's definitely more than what would have cost if it had been addressed sooner. I know and exclusively managed to look for shower grout and silicon missing because I know that showers should be resealed every 7 to 10 years, and that's exactly what we recommend to our clients. Grout is not waterproof. Silicon does, in fact, deteriorate over age and with cleaning.

Speaker 1: 5:20

So why do some property managers fail to do their due diligence when it comes to routine maintenance? I'm going to be completely honest here. It comes down to laziness. They assume everything is fine as long as there are no complaints. Another reason could be the reliance of an outsourced contractor for inspections rather than handling in-house inexperience. But let's talk honestly here. It's laziness and cutting corners to save time and sort of money in the short term, but it's at the expense of the property owner. Let's be honest, they just don't look. A quick routine check every few months could save property owners thousands down the line, and you see that tagline everywhere. Any property managing agency that is looking for new business. That's exactly what they say we will be proactive, we'll save you money down the line. But I'm going to be realistic. This actually requires property managers who are proactive, not reactive. They actually have to be looking for maintenance items.

Speaker 1: 6:36

So what can you do to make sure your investment properties are being properly maintained? First and foremost, insist on clear communication and routine inspections in your property management contract. This should include not just tenant reported issues, but a thorough inspection of potential problems plumbing, electrical and other spots prone to wear and tear. You want to know that someone is checking for things like lifting silicon, because before it becomes a leak, not after, and that means getting licensed and responsible trades out at the property. Secondly, don't be afraid to ask for detailed reports. If you're not getting updates on maintenance, that's a red flag. Make sure your property manager is documenting their inspections, even if nothing's wrong.

Speaker 1: 7:30

This is all about transparency. A lot of people don't like what I say on this podcast. I would rather be transparent than have a thousand followers. That's it. Transparency is the key. Lastly, consider doing your own inspections every now and then, especially if you live near your rental properties. No one will care about the state of your investment more than you, and sometimes a fresh set of eyes can catch something that others might miss. Trades are a property manager's best friend. When plumbers attend for leaking taps, ask them to assess the whole house. When an electrician is attending for an electrical fault, have them look over all of the electrical items.

Speaker 1: 8:17

At the end of the day, property management is about protecting your investment, and a big part of that is staying on top of the little things before they become big problems. It's the difference between a minor repair and a full-blown renovation, and trust me, you want to avoid the full-blown renovation. If you're dealing with a property manager who isn't keeping up with routine maintenance, it's time to have a serious conversation or find a new one. Your property deserves better, and so do you. I'm going to leave this here for today's episode. If you have a story about routine maintenance, whether it's gone right or terribly wrong, I want to hear from you. Drop us a line on our social media and let's keep this conversation going. I'm Samantha Eason, reminding you to stay informed and stay proactive Until next time. Thanks for listening to Talking. Property Management.