As a landlord, you will have a variety of responsibilities when it comes to the property that you are leasing, especially in terms of ensuring that it remains liveable and functional for your chosen tenants. Throughout their tenancy, you can be sure that a good few issues will pop up along the way. Here are some tips in terms of dealing with them timeously and efficiently.
Be polite
Some tenants are more difficult or demanding than others, and this can lead to feelings of anger and resentment. However, letting your emotions come to the fore isn’t going to do you any favours. Always try to deal with a complaint or issue politely and calmly.
Consider finances
Home maintenance is one of life's unpleasant chores, and a need for it can often present itself quite suddenly. Never mind the fact that many aspects of various types of home maintenance can prove exceptionally costly. The costs involved are enough to leave you infinitely depressed, especially if you don’t have the cash available to deal with the issues on the spot. If ever you find yourself strapped for cash when your tenants notify you about some much-needed maintenance, you may need to think about taking out a loan. The alternative is making your tenants wait for the problem to be sorted out, and this can result in a breach of contract – which can lead to even more costly consequences.
The great news is that it is easier than ever before to apply for and receive a loan. There are even bad credit loans available for individuals who have a bad credit history. Just make sure that you can keep up with your repayments this time around!
Keep written records
According to AXA, keeping written records is important regarding all tenant complaints and requests. It is also a must for when you conduct your inspections. Be sure to back up your written records with pictures and video footage for extra protection and peace of mind.
Be kind
You can save yourself the trouble by working hard to get your tenants on your side right from the get-go. Do this by going over and above your duties, as stated in the landlord-tenant agreement, and always acting fast when it comes to any requests. This approach is certain to help reduce the chances of having to deal with any issues further down the line.
Vet your potential tenants properly
While you won’t have much choice but to deal with the tenants that you have selected, you can take extra precautions during the selection process itself. Do your research into each potential candidate. Find out about their payment history, how secure their current job is, and always ask for previous landlord references to check your findings double. It may seem like a lot of work, but it will almost certainly be worth it in the long run. If you don’t have the time to do all of this yourself, consider hiring a property manager to do it on your behalf.
Dealing with tenants needn't cause you a headache. Follow this advice and maintaining an amicable relationship should prove easier than you thought!
