When necessary repairs go unhandled . . .
Even minor repairs, if left unhandled, can lead to more extensive and costly work down the road. Cracked tiles, deteriorating caulking, and windows that don’t fully seal can be easily fixed now. But, over time, unresolved issues can lead to structural damage, and a simple repair can become a major renovation.
Benefit To The Landlord
In many cases, the tenant is the first line of defense when it comes to identifying items in a rental unit that need attention or have fallen into disrepair. Often, a lease requires a tenant to report issues as soon as they arise. When a landlord provides a way for tenants to report issues with the property, they ensure problems can be addressed before they become more troublesome.
Benefit To The Tenant
When a formal method exists for reporting necessary repairs, tenants can feel confident that their landlord has received their request and that any issues will be addressed. Additionally, if the request form includes a section granting the landlord permission to enter the unit, the tenant and landlord can easily coordinate a mutually beneficial time to handle the repair.
What should be included in the form
Whether it’s for commercial or residential tenants, the form should answer several important questions:
- Who is the tenant?
- How can the tenant be reached?
- Which dwelling or unit is the problem located in?
- What needs to be repaired?
- When and how was the problem discovered?
- Is the problem urgent?
- How does a tenant submit the form?
Where and how the tenant can submit their completed form should always be clearly spelled out. If hard copies will be returned, a location is necessary. If photos or digital copies will be returned, a phone number or email address should be provided.