Each week veteran landlord and property manager Hank Rossi answers questions from other landlords and property managers around the country about their rentals.
Dear Landlord Hank,
I’m looking for people to work on my rentals, during my recovery (broken wrist), and not sure of best way to find someone – Barry.
Dear Landlord Barry,
The best way to find someone is a referral from someone you trust.
If you have a large circle of friends, I’d look there first.
If you have someone else that you know that works in the trades, ask them for a referral.
You could also put up a notice for help at trade schools, if any near you. Or, check Craigslist. If you have a relationship with someone at Lowe’s or Home Depot, they may have some suggestions for you.
Check out contractors just like you do tenants for your rentals
If this is going to be regular work, check out your worker just like you check out your tenants.
Not so much for credit history but you want to know if you are having a criminal or sexual predator/offender doing work in your property, maybe in occupied units.
Don’t take any chances here.
See Hank’s post here on his No. 1 maintenance request from tenants.
About the author:
“I started in real estate as a child watching my father take care of our family rentals- maintenance, tenant relations, etc , in small town Ohio. As I grew, I was occasionally Dad’s assistant. In the mid-90s I decided to get into the rental business on my own, as a sideline. In 2001, I retired from my profession and only managed my own investments, for the next 10 years. Six years ago, my sister, working as a rental agent/property manager in Sarasota, Florida convinced me to try the Florida lifestyle. I gave it a try and never looked back. A few years ago we started our own real estate brokerage. We focus on property management and leasing. I continue to manage my real estate portfolio here in Florida and Atlanta. “ Visit Hank’s website here.
Photo credit AndreyPopov via istock.com