Challenges Facing Property Managers with Appliance Maintenance and Workforce Shortages

Property owners and managers are facing the challenge of a reduced workforce but conversely having an increased demand for maintenance workers. Supply chain disruptions continue to impact MDUs, with shortages and extended lead times for needed components and appliance parts. This lengthens the time before repairs occur which causes resident dissatisfaction and a more difficult time keeping units occupied.

Parks Associates’ MDU survey finds that a significant number of property owners report difficulties maintaining and servicing their appliances:

• 34% of property owners/managers note challenges in completing unexpected maintenance and repairs
• 33% of property owners/managers report issues around their staff’s ability to repair appliances
• 32% of property owners/managers report challenges keeping up with appliance warranties
• 31% of property owners/managers have difficulty keeping up with the general maintenance of appliances

When reporting difficulty repairing specific appliances, a significant number of property owners report difficulties across all appliances surveyed. HVAC systems and water heaters were the most often reported to be difficult to service. The appliances in this survey and the percentage of property owners/ managers reporting difficulty with those appliances follows:

1. HVAC systems, 49%

2. water heaters, 43%

3. refrigerators, 39%

4. window heating and cooling units, 38%

5. dishwashers, 37%

6. clothes washers and/or dryers, 36%

7. ovens/cooktops, 34%

8. microwaves, 30%

With a significant number of property owners/managers experiencing issues hiring and retaining maintenance staff and challenges maintaining and servicing their appliances, an increasing number of properties are turning to smart appliances to mitigate these challenges. Smart appliances are a solution that can help alleviate the dependence and strain on the maintenance staff and improve residents’ living experiences. Smart appliances can provide residents with convenience and potential energy savings with data and mobile control features, and also be serviced more efficiently by providing data back to property managers and staff.

Download our complimentary white paper, “Solving Multifamily Maintenance Demands with Smart Appliances,” in collaboration with 通用电气 Appliances. This white paper addresses how smart appliances can benefit property managers, maintenance staff workers, and residents by improving the efficiency of appliances and adding new features and functionalities such as maintenance monitoring, automation, and remote control. In addition, the white paper details the perceived value proposition of smart appliances to multifamily property owners and managers and the drivers and barriers of smart appliance adoption. Download now: https://lnkd.in/gaX48tEd

Join us for CONNECTIONS? 2023! CONNECTIONS? is the only connected home event to focus on the use cases and emerging business models that will successfully engage consumers and grow revenues in the converging IoT industries - including smart homes, connected entertainment, and mobile ecosystems. The audience is top executives, media, and thought leaders in the digital living markets. CONNECTIONS? sessions offer a mix of market research, analysis, and industry insight. This approach is unique among conferences and necessary to capture the complexity and see the opportunities in these interconnected markets. Register today: https://bit.ly/41E8sIY