What to know – do you need to be available 24/7 for tennants?
One of the biggest challenges in property management is balancing tenant needs with realistic maintenance boundaries. At Kasteel Property Management, we often get asked about what to do when tenants call with issues after hours or on weekends. Should every request be treated as an emergency? The short answer: not always.
Weekend Maintenance Requests: What Counts as an Emergency?
When a tenant calls on a Saturday or Sunday, it’s important to first determine whether the issue is truly an emergency repair. For example, if an HVAC system or hot water heater goes out, it may feel urgent, but most homeowners would wait until Monday to call a professional. Why? Because emergency weekend service calls often cost double compared to a weekday visit.
On the other hand, if the problem is something dangerous or that could cause major property damage—like a burst pipe or gas leak—that’s a true emergency and should be addressed immediately.
Encouraging Tenant Independence
As a landlord or property manager, setting clear boundaries helps both you and your tenants in the long run. If you respond to every minor inconvenience right away, tenants may become overly dependent on you. Instead, encourage them to first look for simple solutions or call their own service professional if it’s a non-emergency and they want it fixed right away.
By doing this, you’re not only saving money on unnecessary emergency calls—you’re also empowering tenants to take more responsibility for their living space.
Why Boundaries Matter in Property Management
At the end of the day, managing properties isn’t just about fixing things—it’s about building good landlord-tenant relationships. Clear communication, realistic boundaries, and a solid plan for handling maintenance requests all help create smoother rental experiences.
For more helpful property management tips, be sure to check out our blog at KasteelProperty.com.
