Every landlord looks to have a well-behaved tenant that pays on time and takes care of the property as though it were there own.
The truth is that landlords are more influential than it might seem when it comes to the behavior of their tenants. In fact, many landlords are capable of turning tenants into ideal renters with the right treatment.
Renting your properties is a business and the tenants are your customers. To put it simply, the better you are as a landlord, the more likely you are to attract better tenants.
Being actively involved and going the extra mile is a great way of making sure the hours you spend trying to fill your vacancy isn’t wasted time.
Meeting Your Tenants for the First Time
Being an excellent landlord requires a dedicated commitment and willingness to go the extra mile. We’ve compiled a list that can help you get a head start.
The easiest way to establish yourself as an excellent landlord is to make an awesome first impression. By setting the tone now, you can reap the benefits months later. Make sure to hit these items during your first meeting with the new tenant:
- Maintain a professional manner with all communications.
- Thoroughly explain all items in the lease and answer all questions the tenant may have.
- Give the tenant a move-in handbook that covers everything they would need to live comfortably in their new apartment (if you don’t have one yet, then create and distribute one to all tenants).
- Know the laws. Know what you’re responsible for taking care of during their occupancy, and what they’re responsible for as well.
Communication is Key
Without fail, the single most common complaint any tenant has is a lack of communication or accessibility with the landlord. To be sure, you deserve to have boundaries in place, but the truth is that emergencies and concerns come up and the tenant needs to know things will get handled promptly. You can accomplish this by doing the following:
- Provide contact information and chain of command.
- Consider a property management company that employs capable day to day staff.
- Use a licensed and insured maintenance company that is available 24/7.
- Invest in an online portal for questions, maintenance requests and payments.
- Follow up after any repair performed to verify tenant satisfaction.
- Create and distribute a community newsletter about events in the community, if running a multi-unit building.
Upgrade Your Rental Property
If you don’t take pride in your property, you can’t expect your tenants to do any differently. The best way to avoid this problem is to set up routine and periodic upgrades to your rental property.
Not only will you increase your property values, but you will also create an environment every tenant wants to reside in. Some simple yet effective upgrades you can make include:
- Upgrading appliances
- Changing old flooring
- Replacing old fixtures, knobs, handles, and other detail items
- Fresh paint jobs for each lease renewal
- Obtaining professional landscaping services
- Replacing old or worn-out windows and doors
Follow Lease Guidelines
It can be easy to just take matters into your own hands when problems occur. Don’t do it. You created and went over the lease with your tenant for a reason. Stick to the terms of the lease you and your tenant both signed.
The last thing you want is to set a precedent of perceived favoritism or arbitrary enforcement. In the event something happens that isn’t covered by the lease, you should refer to local ordinances and best practices to guide your decision.
Reward System
Most businesses offer a rewards system or special perks for being a valued customer. If you really want to go the extra mile for your tenants, then you may want to consider implementing such a system for them.
Some possibilities could be complimentary painting, carpet cleaning, or reduced rent for one month within the lease, and a lot more. The best part about this idea is that the available rewards are up to you so get creative and make sure it’s a reward you’re comfortable offering after the tenant has qualified.
Partner with a Moving Company
You’re going to have tenants moving in and out of your units. This can naturally lead to moving mistakes or delays that are costly for both you and your tenant. Consider partnering with a reputable local moving company so the moving process is simple, fast, and most importantly covered by insurance that isn’t your own.
Your tenants will appreciate having one less thing to worry about, and it will give you peace of mind being able to trust that the movers will be on time and respectful of your property.
There is an old adage that says, “Anything worth having is worth fighting for.” Fight to have the best tenants possible by consistently coming up with new ways to go the extra mile. Just make sure that whatever you do you are consistent in your delivery.