Putting it out there...
One of our PMs did a routine inspection on our property recently, during which the tenant alleged the air conditioner was broken. The PM reported back to me it was broken. I gave permission for a service technician to attend.
Five weeks later I hear back that the service tech found it was simply in the wrong "mode" - i.e. they needed to press a button on the remote control to select Heat / Cool. They've billed me $121 service call-out and sent the bill to the tenant to reimburse me.
I was told about the outcome and the billing arrangement afterwards so I had no opportunity to challenge it.... so probably not much I can do now. Had the tenant phoned the office and said "send someone out", sure - I accept the tenant should wear it - but in this case the property manager was there at the property and should have picked up the remote and tried it out, so I think the PM should take at least some responsibility.
They've used the argument they're "not air conditioning specialists and cannot determine a fault with an appliance."
I don't see why pressing a Heat / Cool button on a remote control should require an "air conditioning specialist".
My tenants are simple people who haven't been there long. My property managers are experienced professionals managing 2000 properties... so you'd think that aircon remote controls would be something they deal with from time to time. Why not use an ounce of common sense, pick up the remote control while they're there doing an inspection, and show the tenant how to use it ??? If they're not sure, why not get on the phone and call me?
Do I expect too much ?
Thanks.
One of our PMs did a routine inspection on our property recently, during which the tenant alleged the air conditioner was broken. The PM reported back to me it was broken. I gave permission for a service technician to attend.
Five weeks later I hear back that the service tech found it was simply in the wrong "mode" - i.e. they needed to press a button on the remote control to select Heat / Cool. They've billed me $121 service call-out and sent the bill to the tenant to reimburse me.
I was told about the outcome and the billing arrangement afterwards so I had no opportunity to challenge it.... so probably not much I can do now. Had the tenant phoned the office and said "send someone out", sure - I accept the tenant should wear it - but in this case the property manager was there at the property and should have picked up the remote and tried it out, so I think the PM should take at least some responsibility.
They've used the argument they're "not air conditioning specialists and cannot determine a fault with an appliance."
I don't see why pressing a Heat / Cool button on a remote control should require an "air conditioning specialist".
My tenants are simple people who haven't been there long. My property managers are experienced professionals managing 2000 properties... so you'd think that aircon remote controls would be something they deal with from time to time. Why not use an ounce of common sense, pick up the remote control while they're there doing an inspection, and show the tenant how to use it ??? If they're not sure, why not get on the phone and call me?
Do I expect too much ?
Thanks.