Why is tenant relationship management (TRM) getting so much attention in the rental property business these days? It’s because property owners and managers have realized how important a healthy landlord-tenant relationship is.
It can help to avoid many common rental property problems and also smooth things over when issues arise. So, do you have a good relationship with your tenants? If you answered “no”, or are unsure what your answer is, keep reading. Because it’s never too late to build strong relationships with your residents.
Whether you’re a property owner renting out your property or a property manager overseeing multiple rental properties, this guide is for you. Our insightful 10 tips for fostering a good relationship with renters will help you build solid relationships now and in the future.
Why Is a Good Landlord-Tenant Relationship Important?
Every property management company has its ups and downs. While managing investment properties is a profitable business, property managers have to deal with all types of problems with renters, regularly.
You may feel that this is inevitable, part of the job. But it doesn’t have to be. The fact is that many rental problems can be avoided with strong landlord-tenant relationships. And although it takes time to forge positive relationships, it’s worth the effort.
Happy renters are more likely to respect their rental agreement terms, pay their rent on time, and cause less property damage. That means less hassle for you. So let’s get started building better relationships, with these 10 top tips.
10 Tips for Fostering Good Relationships With Your Residents
1. Be a Respectable and Professional Property Manager
Rental properties don’t legally belong to the residents who live in them. But while they reside there, the rental unit is the resident’s home. And don’t forget that the resident’s rental payments provide you with a source of income.
Show your residents respect and professionalism when communicating with them or visiting the property.
2. Communicate Clearly
Property management isn’t easy when you are dealing with multiple properties at once. You have to deal with every resident’s request promptly too, or risk damaging your reputation. But if you can’t attend to something right away, communicate this to your resident.
Let them know if you are running late, or have to reschedule a maintenance visit. You’ll enjoy a more positive relationship with some clear communication.
3. Conduct Timely Maintenance and Repairs
An investment property is worth more when it is well-maintained. Both you and the renters have responsibilities to keep the rental home clean and in good order. However, the property owner and/or manager is responsible for major maintenance, as well as a deeper cleaning of the unit between rentals.
When they see you’re keeping up your end of the deal with routine maintenance and timely repairs, they’ll be more inclined to meet their own responsibilities. This is especially true when you make it easier for them, with an app like RentCheck, that allows them to perform their own inspections on the platform, showing them, and you, exactly what maintenance is required.
4. Respect Your Residents’ Privacy
As soon as prospective tenants sign the lease agreement, they become the lawful residents of that rental property. Give advanced notice before showing up at the property and arrange times that are convenient for them.
This need for privacy and respect is another reason why RentCheck is so popular with property managers and residents alike. It empowers residents to complete rental property inspections in their own time. Respect their privacy while living there, and you will enjoy a good relationship with your renters.
5. Practice Fairness and Consistency in Your Rental Policies
The rental business has rules and regulations to abide by. Just as you expect residents to make their rent payments on time and abide by the terms of their lease agreement, they expect you to be fair and consistent in your rental policies.
Treat all residents with the same respect, and uphold the same standards on all their rental policies. This will ensure that you build good relationships with all your residents.
6. Show Empathy and Understanding
There will be times, throughout the lease term, when issues arise. You’ll find the vast majority of them can be solved with a little empathy and understanding.
If you have to address a noise complaint against your residents, consider there may be a deeper issue behind their behavior. Talk to them and try to understand why they disrupted the peace. Have they not met their cleaning responsibilities? Perhaps it’s because you didn’t respond to their maintenance issues.
Lead by example, and show understanding of renters' problems. This is the way to build stronger relationships.
7. Do Regular Check-Ins
Don’t wait for crises to communicate with residents. Regular and consistent communication is the key to avoiding many rental property conflicts. To avoid future problems, check in with them regularly, and keep the communication lines flowing.
Encourage renters to contact you before small issues become major problems. Renters must be able to contact their property manager and the property management company whenever they need to. Ensure they have a variety of your contact details, not just a solitary phone number or email address.
A good relationship with residents rests on open communication.
8. Give Recognition for Punctual Rent Payments
As the owner or manager of a rental property, you rely on consistent rental income. When residents make their rent payments on time, every time, this income is assured. Give this the recognition it’s due, and acknowledge their payments with a simple thank you.
Yes, they have to pay rent. But you can still say, “Thank you for your payment.” It’s small gestures like this that make residents more likely to renew their lease when it expires. High renter turnover costs you time and money. Avoid yet another vacant property. Keep your current residents happy by showing your appreciation.
9. Use a Variety of Communication Channels
Do you want your property management company to be viewed as professional and reliable? There should be more than one communication channel where residents can communicate their concerns, problems, or complaints.
If there is only one channel and their attempts to contact you are repeatedly unsuccessful, they won’t see you as able to solve their concerns and problems. And if renters are left to self-manage those issues, even bigger problems may soon ensue.
10. Invest in Property Management Software
Property care apps can help you stay on track with all the responsibilities and rules of each rental property agreement. If you’re responsible for several premises, this software is a game-changer. Especially when you’re faced with property damage.
If you have a clear digital record of the previous condition of the property, you can easily avoid disputes. The money for necessary repairs for property damage can come out of the resident’s security deposit, without argument.
But when you use RentCheck, you avoid disputes and build stronger relationships. Here’s how:
How RentCheck Helps Property Managers and Residents
RentCheck is a user-friendly, affordable solution that saves property owners and managers, and their residents, time and money.
The app features unlimited resident-led and internal inspection lists, with inspection report features for every stage of the rental journey. These can be customized and automated so that residents get notified (and reminded) of upcoming property inspections.
Residents complete their inspections with total privacy and at times convenient for them. They share their inspection reports with you for your review, with just one click, to be compared with your existing report on file. Discrepancies are quickly identified.
RentCheck empowers residents and offers them convenience and consideration. This is the key to building better relationships with residents!
RentCheck's Inspection Software Keeps Property Managers and Residents Happy
Solid relationships between property managers and their renters are built on communication, responsibility, respect, and understanding. When you have positive relationships with residents, they show you and the rental property greater respect too. But that doesn't mean you shouldn’t do routine property inspections.
When a property management company does regular inspections and maintenance, it improves its professional reputation. The secret is to work with your residents, allowing them to do inspections that you can oversee remotely.
RentCheck makes this not only possible but easy. Sign up today, and enjoy a 30-day free trial.
