As a landlord or property management company, implementing a strong preventive maintenance strategy is critical to protecting your investment and ensuring tenant satisfaction. Preventive maintenance means routinely inspecting and servicing building systems to address minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs or safety concerns.

With a properly trained team consistently executing these key tasks, you can extend the lifespan of your property assets, reduce liability, and support long-term operational efficiency.

Building Loyalty Through Recognition and Incentives

Attracting talent is only half the battle; retaining top technicians requires intentional leadership. Competitive pay, ongoing training, and a culture of recognition are essential.

Pamela Sullens, COO of Golden Mountain Real Estate and former regional VP for the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), stresses the importance of rewarding performance: “It all comes down to how you treat your employees. When they perform well, it’s important to acknowledge and reward that.”

Incentive programs can be powerful tools. For instance, rewarding a technician with a share of the savings for completing a project under budget reinforces accountability and efficiency.

Time Management in Maintenance: A Strategic Advantage

Efficient time management is central to successful maintenance operations. For property owners and managers, how maintenance teams spend their time impacts more than productivity—it directly affects operating costs. And at the heart of that efficiency is preventive maintenance.

Still, as Sullens points out, “It often gets put on the back burner.” Many teams remain reactive, tackling problems only as they appear. While this may resolve immediate issues, it drives higher costs and risks over time. A strategic, preventive approach preserves assets and protects the bottom line.“It’s about keeping the bigger picture in focus,” said Sullens. “Dedicating time to preventive maintenance minimizes future repairs and protects your financial bottom line.”

Establishing Structure: Walks, Schedules, and Shared Goals

Implementing preventive maintenance doesn’t need to be complicated. Simple steps like scheduling regular property walks create consistency and accountability.Service calls can also double as proactive inspections—checking smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or plumbing fixtures can prevent emergencies and reduce liability.“You want to make sure you walk every unit once a quarter or at least twice a year,” noted Killinger.Weekly team meetings are another effective tool, aligning staff on priorities, recurring issues, and shared objectives.“Maintenance techs should be part of your property plans,” added Sullens. “Include them in the goals you’re working toward on behalf of the owner. They shouldn’t be left in the dark.”

Maintenance Technicians: Key Players in Property Performance

Maintenance technicians are not just support staff—they are frontline contributors to resident satisfaction, property longevity, and profitability.“The selection of maintenance techs is paramount to the success of the bottom line,” emphasized Sullens.Recruitment is only the beginning. Long-term success depends on leadership’s ability to provide clear expectations, proper training, competitive benefits, and a positive team culture. When maintenance professionals feel supported and aligned with company goals, they consistently deliver high-quality results.