The Landlord's Guide to Automating Tenant Maintenance Requests

Ask any landlord what the most time-consuming part of self-managing is, and the answer is almost always: dealing with maintenance requests. Not the repairs — the coordination. The phone calls, the texts, the contractor scheduling, the follow-ups.

The Old Way vs. The New Way

Old way: Tenant calls you → you diagnose → search for contractor → phone tag for quotes → coordinate schedules → follow up. Total: 1-3 hours per request.

New way: Tenant texts AI → AI diagnoses and tries to fix → if pro needed, AI finds contractors and gathers bids → you tap "approve" → AI connects contractor to tenant. Total: 30 seconds (your tap).

Step 1: Single Point of Contact

Tenants text a dedicated number instead of your personal phone. SMS means no app to download — 100% adoption rate.

Step 2: AI First Response

AI handles initial triage for plumbing, electrical, HVAC, appliance failures, and general maintenance. Many get resolved without a contractor.

Step 3: Automated Contractor Discovery

The system searches for the right type of contractor near the property and sends them the job details automatically.

Step 4: Competitive Bidding

Up to 5 contractors receive job details and submit bids. You see all prices side by side and pick the best one.

Step 5: Get Out of the Middle

The approved contractor connects directly with the tenant. They coordinate the visit themselves. You get a notification when complete.

For landlords looking to scale, this is the key. An AI system can handle 2 units or 200 at the same per-unit cost.