Maintenance is one of the biggest drivers of resident satisfaction, operating costs and long-term property value. Yet many property managers only discover its true impact when something breaks, budgets blow up or residents complain.
After working alongside property managers across multi-family and commercial properties in the Twin Cities area, one thing becomes clear: there are a few lessons most wish they had learned sooner. Here are five of them.
1. Deferred Maintenance is Never “Saving Money”
Putting off repairs can feel like a short-term win, especially when budgets are tight. In reality, deferred maintenance almost always shows up later with interest.
- A small leak becomes water damage
- A noisy HVAC unit becomes a system replacement
- A minor trip hazard becomes a liability claim
Preventive maintenance costs less, causes fewer disruptions, and protects asset value. The real expense isn’t fixing things; it’s fixing them too late.
2. Maintenance Impacts Resident Retention more than Amenities
Residents may choose a property for the pool or fitness center, but they stay because things work.
Slow response times, repeat repairs and inconsistent workmanship create frustration – fast. Even the nicest property loses its shine when work orders linger.
Reliable maintenance:
- Reduces complaints
- Improves online reviews
- Increases lease renewals
In many cases, strong maintenance performance does more for retention than new amenities ever will.
3. Staffing Gaps are Costlier than most Managers Expect
When a maintenance tech is out, overwhelmed or the position is vacant, the impact goes far beyond unfinished work orders.
- Backlogs grow
- Emergencies increase
- On-site teams burn out
Many property managers don’t realize how quickly labor gaps translate into lost rent, overtime costs and resident dissatisfaction. Having short-term or supplemental maintenance support available can prevent small gaps from becoming major operational issues.
4. Not All Maintenance is Created Equal
There’s a big difference between someone who can fix something, and someone trained to maintain a building.
Experienced, well-trained maintenance technicians:
- Diagnose issues correctly
- Reduce repeat repairs
- Follow safety and compliance standards
- Communicate clearly with management and residents
Quality maintenance isn’t just about tools. It’s about training, consistency and accountability.
5. Maintenance is a Strategic Asset, not just an Expense
The most successful property managers don’t view maintenance as a line item to minimize. They see it as a lever they can pull to improve performance.
Strong maintenance programs:
- Protect property value
- Control long-term costs
- Support leasing and retention goals
- Reduce operational stress
When maintenance is proactive, supported and properly staffed, everything else runs smoother.
How BMM Can Help
BMM provides professional building maintenance services for multi-family and commercial properties, supporting Property Managers with flexible, reliable maintenance staffing solutions.
Our experienced maintenance technicians help property management teams:
- Reduce work order backlogs and response times
- Fill short-term maintenance staffing gaps without over hiring
- Improve resident satisfaction and retention
- Protect building systems through proactive and preventive maintenance
Whether you need short-term maintenance support, long-term staffing or fully outsourced maintenance services, BMM works as an extension of your team to keep your properties operating efficiently and safely.
Looking for a smarter approach to property maintenance?
Contact BMM at 763-541-4886 to discuss maintenance solutions tailored to your properties. You can also reach out to us using our contact page.
