Business

Tips for Happy Tenants

posted by Chris Valentine

If you want a great experience as a landlord, read up on these Tips for Happy Tenants ... photo by CC user Ildar Sagdejev on Flickr

All landlords wish to find respectful and courteous tenants who pay their rent in a timely manner. It can be hard to keep tenants for the long haul if they’re not happy with the property. By making a few changes in the way you manage your business as a landlord, you can help ensure that your tenants are happy and comfortable to stay in the long-term.

Offer Incentives

Offering small incentives can make your tenants feel as if they are valued. For example, give them the first month free or ask them to only pay half of the required deposit. This allows the tenant to budget for the next month’s rent payment and they may be more willing to move into the property.

This can seem like a risky move, but if the proper credit checks are carried out you can usually tell if a person is trustworthy enough to be afforded this kindness. Getting off on the right foot can make a world of difference to the relationship with your tenants.

Show Your Appreciation

When you offer your tenant a place to live, they are in reality going to pay your mortgage or put money in your pocket. Although this is essentially a business relationship, it still pays to show your appreciation.

When the holidays draw near, remember to drop in a card or even a small gift. It won’t take much of an effort to do, and it should remind the tenants that you value their business and are happy to have them as tenants. The likelihood is that they’ll be thankful of your appreciation and will take better care of the property.

Make Regular Inspections

Regularly visiting the property to ensure the tenant is looking after it will give them the opportunity to point out any maintenance issues. Make sure to give plenty of notice to allow them to get the house in order before you arrive.

As a landlord, you must take an active interest in the rented property and take the necessary steps to address repairs. Making repairs quickly is one of the easiest ways of keeping your tenants happy.

Perform Repairs Quickly

When your tenant points out to issues that affect their enjoyment of the property, you should act immediately. Blocked drains, broken refrigerator, or leaking pipes are just some of the typical examples that need to be acted on as soon as possible. These issues may increase your tenant’s stress levels so you should call a tradesperson to undertake the repairs and then a follow-up call after a few days to see how the work progressed.

Respond Promptly To Communication

Whenever your tenant sends you an email, try to respond within 24 hours. Communication is key when it comes to keeping tenants happy. If you’re going out of town for a few days, make sure you set up your out-of-office email and let people know when you will return. Making a little effort in communication will significantly reduce misunderstandings and your tenant won’t think that they are being ignored.

Only the most considerate landlords end up with happy and satisfied tenants. If you set the stage for a welcoming experience at the start, your tenants will think they have made the right decision in renting your property.

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