As a rental property owner, you’ve likely dealt with the fallout of maintenance issues that were never addressed properly: leaks that lingered, carpets never cleaned, filter changes missed.
While those things add up, they’re also often avoidable. At Epic Property Management, we’ve built systems that help prevent issues by guiding tenants toward the right way to care for a home—and we stay involved every step of the way.
One of the ways we ensure your investment is protected? Setting the standard up front, and then following up with consistent, proactive tenant communication.
Here are some maintenance tips we deliver throughout the lease signing process, why they matter, and how they save you time, money, and turnover.
1. Set the Standard Early
Tenants often don’t know what’s considered “basic upkeep.” So we tell them upfront. Things like:
- Replacing lightbulbs and smoke detector batteries
- Keeping drains clear of hair and grease
- Keeping garbage disposals free from debris
- Maintaining furnace filter replacement schedules
Why it matters to you: By outlining these simple responsibilities at move-in, we reduce the likelihood of deferred maintenance turning into real damage. Simple preventive measures can protect appliances, plumbing, and HVAC equipment. Clear expectations mean fewer maintenance requests, fewer surprises during inspections, and lower annual repair costs.
This is one of the main reasons we do in-person lease signings. It formalizes the move-in procedure and allows us to make the process more like closing on the purchase of a home than clicking through a docusign on an eLease.
2. Encourage Early Reporting
Small problems become expensive fast. But tenants sometimes delay reporting issues due to a lack of care for the property, fear they’ll be blamed, or a basic lack of awareness.
We counter that with education and access:
- 24/7 online maintenance portal
- Follow-up systems that confirm receipt and schedule action promptly
- Clear communication about the importance and expectation of reporting problems early
Issues we encourage tenants to report immediately include:
- Dripping faucets or running toilets
- HVAC irregularities
- Pest activity
- Broken fixtures or safety concerns
Why it matters to you: Timely reporting allows us to resolve problems while they’re still small, before a slow leak damages cabinets or pests spread through multiple units or do structural damage. It’s faster, cheaper, and less disruptive.
And we make it easy for tenants to do this, whether through our 24/7 maintenance portal or all-hours maintenance phone line. Result: we learn about more problems before they’ve spiraled into major repair needs.
3. Send Seasonal Reminders
Why wait for trouble? Every season, tenants are reminded of quick tips tailored to your region and property:
- Winter: keep the heat above 60°F, tips to avoid frozen pipes, drip faucets in extreme cold
- Summer: replace HVAC filters, manage humidity to prevent mold
- Fall: clear debris from patios and porches
- Spring: report signs of water intrusion early
Why it matters to you: These reminders help tenants, but they also prevent damage, reduce emergency calls, and keep small issues from becoming expensive problems.
4. Help Tenants Protect Their Security Deposits
No one wants a deposit dispute. We provide tenants with a move-out checklist and reminders to:
- Patch small nail holes
- Clean appliances and floors
- Remove trash and personal items
- Report any damage immediately
Why it matters to you: This leads to cleaner units, less rework for your turnover crew, fewer security deposit disputes, and faster re-leasing. It’s a system that preserves property condition and improves cash flow.
Learn more about how our tenant move-out process helps reduce turnover time and protects property condition.
5. Define the Line Between DIY and Professional Repairs
We don’t want tenants “fixing” anything they’re not qualified to handle. So we make the boundary clear.
Our lease and welcome materials define which issues are theirs to handle (e.g., replacing filters or plunging a toilet), and which ones should go through us. We reinforce this during onboarding and anytime a maintenance request is received
Examples of what must go through us:
- Electrical issues
- Plumbing repairs
- HVAC maintenance or noise
- Appliance malfunctions
Why it matters to you: No DIY mistakes. No unsafe repairs. No unexpected liability. You get licensed professionals handling anything beyond the basics—safely, quickly, and under our oversight.
Why All of This Matters to You
Tenant education is just one component of our full property management life cycle, where every step is designed to protect your investment and maximize your return. When tenants know how to care for the property and are reminded to act early, you avoid expensive repairs, legal disputes, and high turnover. And when a property management company like ours handles all of that for you, you get peace of mind without the headache.
Ready to Take Maintenance Off Your Plate?
Let us manage your property like it’s our own. At Epic, we don’t wait for problems, we prevent them. Contact us today to learn how we reduce risk, protect your asset, and keep tenants satisfied.
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