How to Build Better Relationships With Your Tenants

Are you trying to build better relationships with your residents? 

Wise move. Better tenant relationships lead to better rental experiences. You can expect rent to be paid on time and the property to be cared for when you get along well with your renters. You can also expect they’ll be more likely to renew their lease agreements. This cuts down your vacancy and turnover costs. 

Here are a few ideas for creating and maintaining respectful, professional relationships with your tenants.

Share Expectations Early and Often

Communication is key, and communicating your expectations before your tenants move in is a great way to establish both a good relationship and some important boundaries. Talk about the lease, especially the parts of the lease that are likely to really matter, such as your rent collection policy and your maintenance process. Explain the difference between emergency maintenance and routine repairs. You’ll want to talk about expectations around property conditions and cleanliness. 

When tenants know what to expect and what you’re expecting, the relationship is based on trust and transparency.

Communicate and Listen for Better Relationships 

Communication has to be a priority if you want to improve your tenant relationship.

Good communication starts with listening. Tenants want to be heard, especially when something isn’t going right. Make sure you’re available and accessible to them. 

When you understand what your tenants need, you can do a better job of meeting those needs. Even if a tenant is complaining, resist the impulse to get defensive or angry. Keep the lines of communication open, and be willing to hold yourself and your tenant accountable. 

Don’t forget that everyone communicates differently. Some tenants will need to see you in person. Others will want to talk on the phone and for others, texting and email is best. Good communication is something all tenants are looking for in a landlord, and when you lead by example by communicating well, you can count on a better relationship.

Prioritize Maintenance Issues and Repair Requests 

Responding right away to maintenance issues is good for your tenant relationship and it’s also good for your property. Make it easy for tenants to report maintenance. Encourage them to let you know right away when something is wrong. It shows them you want to make it right, and it also shows them that you care about the condition of your investment property. 

How do you think tenants will treat your rental home if you show them that you don’t care enough to maintain it? 

A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way