More often than not, tenants and landlords want a well-maintained property that is securely leased, and provides income and return on investment.
Both tenants and landlords want to be treated courteously and respectfully. So how do you, as a landlord, maintain a professional landlord and tenant relationship?
5 things that will keep the landlord and tenant relationship cordial
Remember that nothing is resolved with anger
Sometimes things will go wrong, or repairs may take longer than expected. Communicating calmly will help both parties resolve issues faster. In conversations over potentially contentious issues, try to maintain a level tone and be polite – basically, being adults.
Mutual respect goes a long way
As a landlord, where possible you need to respect that the tenants in your property want to live peacefully in a comfortable home. Landlords who show up unannounced, treat their tenants like employees, or even overstep the boundaries of simple communication can come across disrespectful to the rights and privacy of the tenant.
Keep your expectations in check
Everyone is busy. But if your rental property’s hot water system is broken, and you don’t make an attempt to have it fixed the same day, that’s not showing much respect for your tenant. It could, in fact, be a breach of your contract. Landlords have a duty of care to provide hospitable accommodation (and this includes clean, running hot water).
Consider a second chance
In the case of noisy renters, giving them a second chance to prove themselves is key to building on a decent tenant/landlord relationship. Let’s face it – raining fire on your tenant will result in a notoriously vacant property. Don’t put your renters through the wringer for an accidental breakage or missed rental payment – you may find yourself dealing with a renter who severs lines of communication.
Get everything in writing
The first rule in all of this is to forget the ‘handshake’ agreement and get everything in writing. This will protect you with names and dates if a promise or action goes unfulfilled. If you say you’re going to do something, then do everything you can do follow through on your word. If it’s impossible, talk to your tenant and work out an alternative solution.
The bottom line? Tenant-landlord relationships rely on calm communication, honesty and respect. If you understand your tenants’ needs and set about keeping them happy, you’ll keep the relationship sweet.
This is fantastic! The information is entirely accurate. Anger doesn’t solve anything. Effective communication is essential!