One of the most common questions rental property owners ask is simple: “Do property managers pay for repairs?” The short answer is no, property managers don’t pay for repairs out of their own pocket.
But the longer answer is far more important, because how repairs are handled is often the difference between a rental property that preserves your return on investment and one that slowly drains it.
At Mesa Properties, we believe in being upfront and educational about this process. Most property management companies will give you a vague answer that leaves you wondering where your money is going. We take a different approach: we want you to know exactly how repairs are handled, why it matters, and how Mesa’s system works in your favor.
Key Takeaways
Owners, not property managers, pay for repairs. That’s the standard in the industry.
Many management companies profit from repairs through markups or in-house crews.
Mesa Properties is different: no markups, no hidden fees, and a $500 repair approval limit.
Our In-N-Out Model of Property Management ensures streamlined, transparent, and owner-aligned systems.
Letting Mesa handle repairs protects your ROI, keeps tenants happy, and saves you from the headaches of managing vendors yourself.
The Reality: Who Pays for Repairs?
Repairs and maintenance are a regular part of owning rental property. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, a broken appliance, or an unexpected plumbing issue, the property owner is financially responsible for repairs, not the property manager.
This often surprises new landlords, but here’s why: property managers are your agents, not co-owners of the property. Just like a stockbroker doesn’t cover losses when the market dips, a property manager doesn’t cover the costs of fixing your rental. Their job is to manage the process efficiently, transparently, and with your best interests at heart.
That’s where the differences between property management companies start to matter.
How Most Property Managers Handle Repairs
Here’s the industry standard:
Maintenance markups: Many management companies add a 5–10% markup on every repair. If a plumber charges $400, you might see $440 on your invoice.
In-house maintenance: Some companies run their own repair crews. On the surface, this seems convenient, but it creates a conflicting incentive. Because they profit directly from maintenance, the company benefits when more repairs happen, or when they’re more expensive than necessary.
That disconnect between your financial interest and theirs is one of the most frustrating parts of the property management industry.
Mesa’s Transparent Repair Process
Mesa Properties does things differently. Our philosophy is built on aligning our interests with yours. Here’s how:
$500 Repair Approval Limit
If a repair is under $500, we approve and move forward immediately. This prevents small problems from escalating into larger, more expensive ones.
If a repair exceeds $500, we will contact you for approval, unless it’s an emergency (such as a burst pipe or a safety issue) that requires immediate action.
No Maintenance Markup
One major difference between Mesa Properties and much of the industry is that we do not use maintenance as a profit center.
The only time we ever apply a 10% markup is before the first tenant is placed in a property, or, if we take over a vacant property, for the first 90 days after takeover. This temporary markup covers the additional coordination and setup work required to get a property move-in ready.
Once a tenant is in place, or after that 90-day transition period, the markup goes away. From that point forward, you pay exactly what the vendor charges, nothing more. We don’t run an in-house repair team that inflates costs, and we don’t add hidden fees to your invoices.
This approach keeps our incentives aligned with yours: keeping repair costs reasonable while protecting your investment.
Vendor Relationships That Save You Money
We work with trusted, vetted vendors who know that Mesa expects fair pricing and quality work.
Because we send a consistent volume of work, our owners often benefit from better pricing than they’d find on their own.
This system eliminates the conflict of interest that plagues much of the industry. As an owner, you can trust that when Mesa approves a repair, it’s because it’s necessary, timely, and cost-effective, not because we stand to make a profit from it.
The In-N-Out Model: Efficiency in Action
One of the frameworks we use at Mesa to explain how we operate is what we call “The In-N-Out Model of Property Management.”
Think about the way In-N-Out Burger runs its restaurants. They keep their menu simple, operations tight, and customer service consistent. That focus on efficiency and clarity makes them one of the most trusted brands in fast food.
We apply that same principle to property management. By keeping systems streamlined and incentives aligned, we deliver consistency and transparency for owners. Repairs fall directly into this model:
Clear Rules: The $500 limit makes decisions simple and repeatable.
No Hidden Fees: Just like In-N-Out doesn’t charge for “extras” you didn’t order, Mesa doesn’t inflate maintenance bills with markups.
Aligned Interests: Our efficiency makes sure owners don’t get squeezed and their ROI is protected.
This model creates a process you can trust, time after time.
Should Owners Handle Repairs Themselves?
Another common question we hear is whether an owner should step in and handle repairs directly. On paper, this might sound like a cost-saving measure. But in practice, it rarely works out that way.
When owners manage repairs themselves, problems often arise:
Delayed response times frustrate tenants and can cause bigger damage.
Vendor issues: Without a network of trusted professionals, owners may end up overpaying for subpar work.
Tenant relations can suffer when owners try to cut corners or delay maintenance.
In our blog Should a Property Owner Do Their Own Repairs, we explain why relying on your property manager saves you time, stress, and often money in the long run. Mesa’s system ensures that issues are handled quickly, tenants stay happy, and your property stays in good condition, all without you having to act as a middleman.
Benefits of Mesa’s Approach
Here’s why Mesa’s repair process is a win for owners:
Aligned Incentives: No markup means our goals match yours—keeping costs low while protecting your property.
Faster Turnaround: Our $500 limit ensures small issues get resolved quickly, reducing the risk of larger, more costly repairs later.
Tenant Retention: Prompt, professional maintenance keeps tenants satisfied, lowering vacancy and turnover costs.
Peace of Mind: You know repairs are being handled with transparency, not hidden profits.
A Smarter Way to Handle Rental Repairs
At the end of the day, repairs are a normal part of owning rental property. The key is not whether they happen, but how they’re handled. With Mesa Properties, you can trust that repairs are managed quickly, fairly, and without hidden profits working against you. Our $500 approval system and no-markup policy keep the process simple, transparent, and aligned with your financial goals.
If you’re ready for a property management company that treats your investment with the same care and efficiency you would, get in touch with Mesa Properties today to learn more about how we can help protect your property and maximize your returns.
FAQs
Do property managers ever pay for repairs?
No. Owners are financially responsible for property repairs, but Mesa ensures they’re handled efficiently and without unnecessary costs.
What happens if a repair costs more than $500?
We’ll contact you for approval, unless it’s an emergency requiring immediate action.
Why don’t you charge a maintenance markup?
Markups create a conflict of interest. By not profiting from repairs, we stay aligned with your financial goals.
Can I handle repairs myself?
You can if the property is vacant, but we don’t recommend it. Mesa’s vetted vendor network ensures faster service, fair pricing, and better tenant satisfaction. If the property is tenant-occupied, we ask that you allow one of Mesa’s vendors to handle the repair.
What makes Mesa different from other property managers?
Our no-markup policy, $500 approval system, and efficiency-driven In-N-Out Model make us uniquely transparent and owner-focused.
Additional Resources
What Can I Deduct From A Tenant’s Security Deposit?
Everything You Need To Know About A 3 Day Notice To Pay Rent Or Quit
