Building a positive relationship with your tenants is one of the most important things a property owner can do. The relationship between a tenant and their landlord is a fundamental part of a successful investment property. To achieve that, you need your tenant’s willing cooperation to keep your property in good condition.
If your relationship with your tenant goes sour or becomes combative, your ability to work productively together will decrease. The good news is, that there are many things you can do as the property owner to foster a positive relationship with your tenant.
Possibly the most significant factor you can do to create a positive relationship with your tenant is to develop strong communication skills. Establish and maintain open lines of communication with your tenant. The moment when your tenant contacts you, respond as quickly as possible to their requests or worries. If you are unable to personally field tenant calls, then it is important to hire someone who can do it for you.
A quality property manager is going to communicate effectively with your tenant on your behalf. However, irrespective of who will be communicating directly with your tenant, be sure to give your tenant plenty of clear information, explain why things are happening, and provide advance notice if something changes.
Another main component of a positive tenant relationship is trust. As a South Shore property manager, you can encourage your tenant to trust you by following through on your promises. If you tell them that you will be somewhere at a specific time, show up at that time. If you advise your tenant about plans to fix or update certain parts of the property, give them a clear timeline for those repairs and then complete them as promised.
When a tenant establishes trust in their landlord or property owner, they are more likely to work cooperatively to keep the property in good condition and tell you about minor repair issues before they become big problems.
Another factor of a positive tenant relationship includes respecting boundaries. As a landlord, it is critical to set clear boundaries for yourself and your tenants. If you need to visit the property, be sure to give advance notice and set up a time that is comfortable for your tenant. The last thing you want is for your tenant to think that you have violated their privacy or their quiet enjoyment of the property to fulfill your interests.
As a final point, you can foster a positive relationship with your tenant by listening to suggestions and documenting everything. Implement a means for your tenant to give you feedback on your rental property and show them that you are considering those suggestions. It will be as simple as an email exchange and will provide you an opportunity to communicate openly with your tenant and provide documentation of your conversation.
Regardless of how you want to cooperate with your tenant, make sure to document everything. Keep all emails, letters, notices, and voicemail messages related to your rental property and your tenant. In case of trouble or should conflict emerge, this paper trail will be an invaluable resource for settling the matter immediately.
As a property owner, it is in everyone’s best interest to keep things friendly and professional. Your achievement as a real estate investor depends upon good tenant relations. Being polite and attentive to your tenants will help you optimize your rental income for many years to come.
At Real Property Management Associates, we treat your renters and property with the utmost professionalism and respect. Call us at 508-509-4485 today, or contact us online to see what we can do for you!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
