Building a positive relationship with your Madison tenants is one of the most important things a property owner can do. The relationship between a tenant and their landlord is a fundamental part of a successful investment property for the reason that you need your tenant’s willing cooperation to keep your property in good condition.
Provided your relationship with your tenant goes sour or become combative, your ability to work productively together will decrease. Thankfully, there are many things you can do as the property owner to foster a positive relationship with your tenant.
Maybe the most significant thing you can do to create a positive relationship with your tenant is to develop strong communication skills. Establish and maintain open lines of communication with your tenant. Next, when the tenant contacts you, respond quickly to their inquires or if they are having difficulties. If you are unable to personally field tenant calls, then it is important to hire someone who can do it for you.
A quality property manager can communicate effectively with your tenant on your behalf. But no matter who will be communicating directly with your tenant, be sure to give your tenant plenty of clear information, explain why things are happening, and provide advance notice if anything changes.
An additional key part of a positive tenant relationship is trust. As the Madison property manager, you can encourage your tenant to trust you by following through on your promises. If you tell them that you will be somewhere at a specific time, show up at that time. If you tell your tenant about plans to fix or update certain parts of the property, give them a clear timeline for those repairs and then complete them as promised.
When a tenant experiences a sense of trust for their landlord or property owner, they are more likely to work cooperatively to keep the property in good condition and tell you about minor repair issues before they become big problems.
Further elements of a positive tenant relationship include respecting boundaries. As a landlord, it is essential to set clear boundaries for yourself and your tenants. If you need to visit the property, be sure to give advance notice and set up a time that is convenient for your tenant. The last thing you want is for your tenant to feel that you have violated their privacy or their quiet enjoyment of the property to serve your needs.
In conclusion, you can foster a positive relationship with your tenant by listening to suggestions and documenting everything. Develop a way for your tenant to give you feedback on your rental property, and show them that you are considering those suggestions. This could be as simple as an email exchange, which will provide both a chance to convey clearly with your tenant and provide documentation of your conversation.
No matter how you choose to interact with your tenant, make sure to document everything. Keep all emails, letters, notices, and voicemail messages related to your rental property and your tenant. If a problem or discrepancy should arise, this paper trail will be an invaluable resource for settling the matter quickly.
As a property owner, it is in everyone’s best interest to keep things friendly and professional. Your triumph as a real estate investor depends upon good tenant relations. Being respectful and responsive to your tenants can help you optimize your rental income for many years to come.
At Real Property Management Greater Madison Metro, we treat your renters and property with the utmost professionalism and respect. Call us at 608-310-1290 today, or contact us online to see what we can do for you!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.