1. Property manager
When running a property maintenance business, it’s essential to hire a property manager. A property manager, sometimes called an estate manager, is in charge of operating a piece of real estate when the property owner can’t do it or is using the property as an investment rental. The responsibilities of the property manager include:
- Overseeing daily business operations
- Screening tenants
- Collecting rent
- Organizing maintenanceand repairs
- Advertising vacanciesin the rental unit
- Responding to tenant complaints
A good property manager should have the following skills:
- Interpersonal skills
- Oral and written communication
- Financial literacy
- Organization
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
2. Maintenance technician
A maintenance technician is someone the property manager hires to perform general maintenance tasks and repairs to the building. The maintenance technician could be a full-time staff member at a rental facility or a smaller-scale property. You may also hire them on a contractual basis or outsource for one-off repairs and inspections.
The maintenance technicianshould:
- Perform routine maintenancechecks and tasks
- Handle repairs on the building
- Maintain building common areas
- Handle pest control initiatives
- Manage the exterior of the building (landscaping)
When hiring for this role, look for someone who demonstrates these abilities:
- Versatility
- Physical endurance
- Knowledge of the trades (electrical, plumbing, hydraulic systems)
- Demonstrated experience in building maintenance
3. Janitor
While a maintenance technician ensures everything is in good working order, the janitor is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of a property. The duties of a janitor include:
- Mopping and vacuuming floors
- Disinfecting high-touch surfaces
- Emptying garbage and recycling
- Cleaning bathrooms
- Restocking toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizers and soap dispensers
The skills a janitor should possess are:
- Time management
- Take initiativeand work well without supervision
- Safety training for handling cleaning supplies
- Ability to lift 25 pounds
- Basic understanding of building maintenance
This role typically requires no formal education, with most workers learning and developing the necessary hard skills on the job.
FAQs about property maintenance
What is property maintenance?
Property maintenance refers to the general upkeep of a piece of real estate. In a professional context, property maintenance is a commercial venture that forms a company dealing with tenants on behalf of a landlord or property owner.
What services should a property maintenance company offer?
Under the scope of property maintenance, workers handle tasks such as landscaping, servicing HVAC systems, pest control, painting, cleaning and dealing with tenants. To succeed as a commercial property management business, you’ll want to offer property owners the following services:
- Lawn maintenance
- Snow removal
- Marketing the property
- Communications with tenants
- Pest control
- Building inspections
- Move-in and move-out assistance
What should my property maintenancecompany charge?
To remain competitive in the real estate market, your property management company needs to charge reasonable rates. You can reasonably charge 6%-12% of the rental value for your property maintenance services. If a property manager has to deal with a tenant eviction on behalf of the property owner, they typically charge $500 to $1,000 for that service.
Do property managers keep late fees?
Whether your property manager keeps the late fees for the building depends on your contractual agreement. Some property managers may keep the late fees and use them to cover added expenses like needing to cover a unit’s rent for a month if they don’t pay or pay later. If your contract states it, late fees might be split between the landlord and property manager.
If you own a rental and are hiring these roles to manage the property, consider what late fee policy suits your needs when outlining your business contract.
