A good relationship with tenants and renters is one of the main factors in establishing successful property management operations. It is as valuable for short-term vacation rentals as it is for long-term tenancies. If a person is satisfied with the state of the property, quality, frequency, and extent of property maintenance, or if they have a friendly and harmonious relationship with the property manager, they are likely to stay or want to come back.
It gives the owner more than a steady income. Also, it helps them build a stellar reputation which directly raises the demand for their property. That makes hiring a property manager a witty and forward-thinking investment. But knowing how to build and improve relationships with prospective or current tenants can be challenging, warns Big Bear Cabin. Even experienced landlords and property managers tread carefully on this issue.
Building a healthy rapport with tenants is a process that requires planning, time, and patience, just like every other aspect of property management. Property management professionals usually initiate the process by promoting the property to attract quality applicants. Only then can they shortlist the applicants who are the best candidates.
But what happens after that?
1. Screening
Screening is where it all starts. It will be tough to establish a good relationship with a tenant who is difficult to approach, unwilling to cooperate, or has a bad record as a tenant. You need to determine if they are the right person for the property. Their failure to comply with the initial agreement and rules for tenants might also deteriorate relations with your current tenants.
Property managers are responsible for locating and screening tenants. They check their credit score, income, criminal history & rental history. Once they shortlist and select the best tenants, they are responsible for managing tenant’s needs & issues. Property managers are the main point of contact for tenants. They handle tenant relations, leases, emergencies, complaints, move-ins, move-outs, and evictions.
2. Waiting Leads to Frustration
The service provided by the property manager will influence whether the tenant will continue renting the place. Resolve any issue that comes with lightning speed, and never expect a tenant to fix any breaks themselves. It is vital to establish good communication and be available at all times.
A responsible tenant who covers their bills and rent in time will expect the same treatment if any issue occurs. They would prefer to leave instead of waiting for days or weeks for a broken AC unit or water leak to be fixed. That is why a quick response and interest in resolving any problems is vital for this job.
3. Regular Inspection and Maintenance
Your work is not through when you come to collect the rent. It is essential to establish smooth communication and be clear about everyone’s responsibilities. You need to provide a written document listing all the rules by which the tenant should abide when accepting the lease. In return, you also need to provide information about potential maintenance requests.
Regular inspection and inquiries will also help build a trusting relationship. It does not mean you need to be intrusive, but to show that you are interested and ready to help to improve your customer’s experience. Your tenant needs to feel that they are in good hands, but regular check-ins will also help you resolve problems much faster, which is in everyone’s best interest. If you have property managers, this will be one of their key responsibilities.
4. Open Communication
This communication goes both ways. Your customer’s experience is a valuable resource to improve your work. It would be better to use their feedback to make significant changes and provide better service.That doesn’t mean you need to call your tenant every day to check on them. Open communication is crucial for any business. When it comes to property management, you need to show that you are available and ready to help the tenant. Be it questions, maintenance, repairs, upgrades. Providing multiple choices for communication like phone, email, Viber, or messenger is also recommended.
Your willingness to listen will show that you care. In turn, this will make it much easier for the tenant to provide information about issues. You will also predict how satisfied they are with the property and whether they plan to move out soon.
5. Show Your Friendly Side
This topic is tied directly to the communication aspect. You can further improve effective communication with tenants if you take a more friendly approach. Your new tenant will feel more comfortable if you are approachable, responsive, and easy to reach out to when and as needed.
You can add them on social networks, share interests and build more peaceful communication that will help reduce tension and improve the relations considerably. If ever you need to introduce a rent cost increase, it will be much easier to do so with a familiar face.
All this will help you avoid communication breakdowns and misunderstandings and make way for a successful long-term collaboration in the best interest of everyone involved.
