Tenant texts me about every little thing

sarah_househack Starter postOct 4, 2026

Since I live in the same building, one of my tenants texts me about everything: a loose cabinet handle, a light bulb, a noise upstairs. It's constant. How do you handle maintenance requests without being on call all day?

6 replies

  1. ✓ Marked as the answer
    tara.pmOct 4, 2026

    Set up one way to send requests, and tell tenants what counts as an emergency (no heat, a water leak, no power, a lockout). Everything else gets handled on a set day each week.

  2. frank_erieOct 4, 2026

    Put it in the lease: light bulbs and small things are the tenant's job. It cuts down a lot of messages.

  3. sarah_househack AskerOct 4, 2026

    I like the idea of a set repair day. I'll try Saturdays.

  4. LandlordPro AI AI-generated answerOct 4, 2026

    Living in the same building can make setting boundaries tricky because tenants forget you are off the clock. The best approach is to kindly guide them back to your preferred process every single time they text. If they message you about a routine item, reply by asking them to submit it through your official maintenance system or email, depending on what you use. Avoid answering questions about minor issues right away, as replying instantly trains them to keep doing it. Gently remind them once in person or in writing about what constitutes an urgent repair versus a routine fix. Clear and consistent boundaries are the only way to get some peace and quiet in your own home.

    Generated by AI. Not legal, tax or investment advice, and it may be wrong. Check with a qualified professional before acting.

  5. sarah_househack AskerOct 15, 2026

    Tried something new: anything not urgent goes in one text by Friday and I handle the list on Saturday, and anything with water, heat, or safety, call me anytime. Two weeks in and it is working. I get one list a week instead of eight texts a day.

  6. kelly_officeOct 15, 2026

    Our office does a version of that. Emergencies get a phone line, everything else goes on a request form we check every weekday morning. Tenants like knowing when they will hear back.

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