Good communication is a key component of the tenant-landlord relationship. Rental property management is built on a foundation of trust and excellent relationships with others. When done appropriately, effective communication can help you grow your bottom line and minimize your liability. However, tenant relations and communication skills do not usually come naturally. For many Parkville rental property owners, to master these skills, they regularly should be practiced over time. To reduce liability and promote tenant relations, here are several straightforward suggestions that work with any method to managing rental properties.
1. Make Yourself Available
One of the perfect ways to encourage effective communication between yourself and your tenants is to explain to them that you can answer their calls and questions. It’s crucial to demonstrate a willingness to respond to them when they reach out, encouraging them to communicate more honestly and more often. By having constant conversations with your tenants, you are more likely to catch on about developing maintenance and repair issues early on, as well as any other potential risks. In this manner, you can minimize liability proactively and avoid unnecessary confrontations after a while.
2. Offer Multiple Ways to Communicate
Today’s communications landscape holds a wide variety of methods to encourage frequent, effective communication between a landlord and your tenant. That is why it’s advisable to get to know your tenant and offer them more than one way to communicate with you. For some tenants, a simple phone call or email may work best. Others may be more willing to converse with you via text or another messaging platform. Regardless of which method you employ, bear in mind to document your communications and follow any applicable laws when your communications involve the lease or legal issues.
3. Keep It Positive
One of the principal reasons many tenants avoid talking to their landlord is that such conversations are usually negative. Lots of landlords only talk to their tenants when there is a problem, which causes the tenant to develop negative associations with their landlord, justified or not. To avoid this situation and encourage effective communication with your tenant, try to communicate positive information to them as regularly as you can. Advise them about updates on property renovations or repairs, or give them information about fun local events. Therefore, when you need to address more serious matters, your tenants will be more likely to listen and respond.
4. Build Trust
In the tenant-landlord relationship, it’s necessary to remember that building trust works on both sides. You should not only trust your tenant, but they also need to trust you to communicate effectively with you. You can build trust with your tenant by keeping to your word, doing what you say you will do, and delivering promised repairs promptly. You can also encourage their confidence by managing them and their time with respect. Deliver small, respectful gestures such as offering lots of advance notice for maintenance visits and inspections and being honest with your tenant when they ask questions. In this way, you also encourage them to help you keep close tabs on your valuable investment.
As a Parkville property owner and landlord, minimizing liability is usually a concern. However, with effective communication with your tenants, you can better manage the risks and build a positive professional relationship with those renting your home. Indeed, communicating with tenants demands time and effort and an eagerness to be available around the clock. If you have other commitments, you might consider hiring a property management company like Real Property Management Principles to conduct tenant relations for you. We make communications quick and easy, something your tenants are sure to appreciate. Besides, you’ll free up your time for your other important tasks. Contact us online today or give us a call at 816-305-6476.
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.
