No one knows better than we do that finding good tenants is a challenge. We’ve built our whole business around trying to help landlords identify the best candidates without breaking the bank. However, there are some easy strategies that you can implement to avoid major communication problems with tenants.
Be Easy to Reach
In the era of social media, phones, email, and (if you’re desperate) the lone, dusty fax machine, it’s hard to believe that it’s hard to get in touch with someone. While we’re sure you’ve felt the frustration of not being able to reach a tenant about an issue, it’s important to make sure that you’re also easy to contact. We suggest giving tenants a phone number, an email address, and a mailing address at the minimum. Be sure to specify the best way to get in touch with you.
Be Responsive
Believe us – we know how busy it can get juggling a day job with being a landlord. However, staying responsive (within reason) to your tenant’s repair requests or other queries can go a long way to maintaining a good relationship. Even if you’re not able to get someone in the next day to fix a leaky roof or a washer on the fritz, having good communication can help mitigate a tenant’s temper.
Establish Boundaries with Tenants
You will likely come across one or two emergencies during your time as a landlord that need your immediate attention. However, most issues can likely wait until business hours. When you onboard new tenants, be sure to make it clear the hours that are most appropriate to contact you. Keep a separate “emergency” number handy, or make it clear that any calls outside of your allotted hours must be an absolute earth-shattering crisis.
E-Renter Tenant Screening Reports Can Help
While we can’t predict whether a tenant will be communicative, we can run tenant screening reports to help identify other potential issues.