Rental property management companies don't pay for repairs in Prescott, AZ, but they can help you streamline the necessary repairs and maintenance for your rental properties.
Maintenance and repairs are essential parts of rental property management, and they can be time-consuming and costly. Sometimes, it seems that your role as a landlord is a never-ending cycle of repairs and maintenance, and every issue is more urgent than the one before.
You can't afford to take a breather for fear of losing a tenant or falling foul of Arizona landlord-tenant laws.
Do you need a break? Hiring a reputable property management company can help a landlord stay on track with rental property repairs. The question is, who pays for property repairs in Prescott, AZ?
The answer depends on several factors.
What to Expect From a Property Management Company
When you hire a property management company, you pay them a monthly fee in exchange for a comprehensive range of services. While this will vary according to the company you choose, their tasks usually include:
- Property marketing
- Routine property inspections
- Tenant screening
- Lease origination and negotiation
- Coordination of maintenance and repairs
- Rent collection
It's unlikely that a property management firm will include repair costs in its monthly fees. Repair costs are always the landlord's responsibility.
Are Property Management Fees Worth It?
Hiring a property manager can alleviate much of the stress that comes with owning a rental property, especially for landlords who live far away from their investment properties. They act as an intermediary between you and your tenants, helping save you time and shielding you from being on call 24/7.
Property managers oversee seasonal and routine maintenance tasks, helping keep your property in good condition so that it retains its value and appeal for tenants. If they notice any necessary repairs during property inspections, they can act quickly to prevent the situation from worsening.
Their property maintenance services include overseeing maintenance and repairs from start to finish, ensuring you get the best prices and workmanship. Their long-standing relationships with local contractors can ensure you enjoy substantial savings on any work done.
Although the above actions can certainly save you money, you still need to pay all the repair bills associated with your rental property. There are three ways to manage these payments:
- The property manager pays the costs and invoices you directly.
- You pay invoices related to repairs straight to the relevant parties.
- You give your property manager access to funds set aside for property repairs.
Be sure to discuss your preferred payment method before signing up with a property management company. This will help you budget and eliminate any gray areas regarding repair costs.
What Qualifies as Repairs and Maintenance?
Repairs and maintenance include anything that impacts the functionality and comfort of the home. In some cases, they could refer to aesthetic elements as well.
Maintenance includes routine tasks, like:
- Changing air conditioner filters
- Inspecting HVAC systems and smoke detectors
- Roof inspections
- Painting
Repairs include unpredictable issues related to wear and tear, weather events, or the home's age. Some of the most common repairs in rental homes include:
- Roof repairs
- Plumbing leak repairs
- HVAC system replacement
- Electrical issues
What Repairs Are Landlords Responsible for in Arizona?
Landlords are responsible for all repairs necessary for keeping their home safe and habitable for tenants. The difference between landlord vs tenant repairs is when the tenant or their guests are responsible for the breakage.
For instance, if a window breaks due to weather damage, the landlord is responsible for the cost of replacing it. If a tenant accidentally breaks a window, they pay the repair costs.
In both cases, a property manager might coordinate both owner and tenant repair responsibilities, but they don't pay the associated costs.
FAQs
How Much Does a Property Manager Charge in Arizona?
In Arizona, some property management companies charge a fixed, flat fee for rental property management. Most charge a percentage of your rental income.
In most cases, this works out to between 6% and 10% of the monthly rent.
What Is the Most Important Responsibility of a Landlord?
Under the Implied Warranty of Habitability, key responsibilities of every landlord include:
- Providing their tenants with a safe, habitable living environment
- Maintaining the property in a condition that is fit to live in
- Complying with health and safety codes
- Promptly addressing safety and health threats
To do this, landlords must maintain essential systems like electricity, plumbing, heating, cooling, and fire protection.
What Is the Hardest Part of Property Management?
Tenant satisfaction and retention can be a real challenge for property managers, particularly as they depend on coordinating many different aspects, such as:
- Maintenance and repairs
- Financial management
- Legal compliance
- Property upgrades
- Lease compliance
Can a Tenant Withhold Rent for Repairs in Arizona?
Arizona tenants can only withhold rent in certain circumstances. Firstly, the repairs must affect something that impacts the habitability of the property, i.e., heating or plumbing.
Secondly, they must notify the landlord about the repair in writing and give them a reasonable time to rectify the issue.
What Is a Reasonable Repair Time?
A reasonable repair time in Arizona depends on the severity of the problem. Landlords should rectify health and safety issues within 5 days, but they have up to 10 days to repair any other issues.
Other factors may come into play when determining the urgency of the repair, too. For instance, having no heat in winter can be a safety issue, but the same problem isn't as critical in summer.
Reach Out to the Rental Property Management Experts
Rental property management is a complex and time-consuming undertaking that can prove tiring and stressful for landlords. Hiring a property manager is one way to alleviate these issues, but they can't pay repair costs on your behalf.
However, partnering with an experienced team, like Rent Right® in Prescott, Arizona, means you'll get the very best value for your property maintenance fees. Our team is well-versed in all the Prescott rental regulations and has decades of experience in local real estate.
We oversee 800-plus properties, but we still maintain a personal and attentive relationship with every one of our clients. Reach out to discover how we can do right by your rental properties today!
