I own an apartment building that includes six rental units.
When I purchased the property, it was rather neglected and rundown.
I’ve made quite a few updates to improve the look, comfort, value and efficiency of the apartments. I’ve planted gardens and trees, seeded the lawn and keep up with mowing and pruning. I replaced all of the windows and exterior doors and installed a wireless security system. Inside the apartments, I’ve bought new appliances and fixtures, and I even offer new tenants a gift basket of coffee and baked goods to welcome them. One of the most expensive but beneficial investments was a brand new heating and cooling system for the building. Each unit is now outfitted with a ductless heat pump that combines heating and cooling capacity and offers zoned control. With smart thermostats, the tenants are able to customize temperature in each room through an app on their smartphones. The equipment is wonderfully compact, lightweight and operates quietly. Because I bought higher end ductless models, the systems feature inverter technology and are exceptionally energy efficient. I hoped to make the tenants more comfortable while reducing running costs and effects on the environment. When the ductless split systems were installed, I enrolled in a maintenance plan with the HVAC contractor. This plan includes two service calls per year, allowing the technician to troubleshoot, clean and adjust the various components. Regular maintenance not only fulfills the manufacturer’s warranty but promotes maximum reliability, longevity and overall performance. Unfortunately, I’m having trouble with my tenants answering their doors and permitting access to the equipment. Despite scheduling these service visits ahead of time, the HVAC technician frequently calls me and complains that he was unable to service the heating and cooling systems.