Effective tenant communication is the basis of any flourishing rental properties in Wellsville. But for most investors, effective communication is a proficiency that takes time to develop. It’s a great thing to have industry experts who can help hone and develop this proficiency. Understanding specific elements that can help improve your process is key to improving your communication with your tenants.
Communicating effectively with your tenants starts with the very first interaction – often a screening phone call. When a prospective tenant calls with inquiries about a property, they should be given a clear explanation of the screening criteria. In doing this, you’re already establishing expectations about the landlord-tenant relationship.
After screening your tenant, you might want to go ahead and go through the lease documents with him/her. This is another means of effective communication. Your lease documents are more than just a legal contract. They should also clearly articulate the responsibilities of both parties, as well as things like landscaping maintenance, parking, and pets, to name a few. The lease should also clarify how you will handle your future communications with your tenant. It’s wise to show your tenants that you are willing to communicate with them regularly. Software, apps, and online tenant portals can help make communication more easy and effective. By discussing the lease documents, you are opening up an avenue for questions and/or clarifications. This encourages your tenants to take their responsibilities seriously.
Effective tenant communication is a continuous process, more so after the tenant moves in. To keep the lines of communication open, you need to establish a set of guidelines for how and when regular communication will take place. As an illustration, you can place the guidelines in your lease. This way, the routine maintenance won’t be a huge disruption of your tenant’s activities. Be sure to indicate when you intend to do it, and how many times within a specific period. Certain state or local landlord laws dictate when a landlord can enter the property for inspection, but as a show of good faith, you can always adjust the timetable in favor of the tenant. Most experts agree that it’s good practice to serve the notice a week before the intended routine maintenance through several formats (a call, an email, text, etc).
In the case of an emergency, effective communication takes on a new urgency. As a property owner, communicate to your tenants that you will make yourself available to them in the event of any serious property problem. Your response must be prompt and proactive. As much as possible, deal with emergency repair requests no later than a few hours after the tenant contacts you. It’s also just as important to provide your tenant with feedback and updates. This tells them that you are taking their concerns seriously. By keeping the lines of communication open, your tenants will find it easier to trust you throughout their tenancy.
Lastly, don’t forget to practice the golden rule in your dealings with your tenants. Strive towards a culture of effective communication by treating your tenants with the same courtesy and respect you want to be shown to you. Of course, hiring a trusty Wellsville property manager is also a great way to provide clear and effective communication with all your tenants. Contact us online or at 435-753-5200 today to learn more.
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