There’s no exact science on how to cultivate a solid landlord-tenant relationship. Sometimes, it’s easy to build rapport while it’s a challenge for others.
No matter how much you try, there are instances where some landlords and tenants would benefit from parting ways. However, as long as proper efforts have been made on both sides, a satisfactory relationship can be formed.
Landlords have a lot of options when it comes to cultivating a healthy relationship and strengthen a professional bond with their renters. Here are some great tips you can practice with your Jacksonville tenants.
1. Communicate Your Expectations
You don’t want to leave anything up to chance. That’s why it’s important to clearly communicate your expectations to your tenants. This can come in the form of a conversation but should also be accompanied by a detailed lease agreement.
The lease should detail both your responsibilities and those of the tenant during the tenancy. It should also touch on different policies such as when rent is due, consequences of missed or late payments and more.
2. Take Time for Regular Communication
Keeping an open line of communication also builds respect and cooperation. You’ll be more aware of property issues and resolve them immediately for more tenant satisfaction. They’ll also be willing to stay longer in your Jacksonville rental home knowing their well-being is given proper attention.
3. Be Accessible with Multiple Communication Channels
Using only one communication platform can be limiting. You can risk not appearing available when your renters needs. Since vital information must be delivered immediately, it’s important to use different modes of communication.
You can’t just email or send a written notice solely to issue deadlines or bring up an important matter. Call or drop by the rental on top of giving written notices. This method helps forge a positive bond with your Jacksonville renters.
4. Regularly Conduct Property Visits
Apply a good tenant screening procedure when qualifying tenants for your Jacksonville rental home. When you welcome them, it will be easier to build a good landlord-tenant relationship.
Once you have a placed tenant in the space, take time to visit your rental. This will allow you to speak with tenant and gauge their satisfaction with the unit. At the same time, you’ll be able to see how your property is doing in real time.
Note that your tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment of their rentals therefore, before dropping by, make sure that you give your tenant notice.
5. Value and Prioritize Your Tenants as Customers
Your tenants place the most important role in ensuring the success of your rental business. Thus, it makes sense to take care of their needs and prioritize them as customers. If not, turnovers can happen and you’re back to square one.
When you value your tenants, they can sense it and they will show the same respect and kindness towards you. This creates trust making it easy to manage your property and expect cooperation from them as well.
6. Focus on the Rental Property’s Upkeep
Ensure that your Jacksonville rental property is habitable and safe with a healthy environment. You’re looking to retain your tenants for a long period if possible. The longer your renters stay, the more your returns are maximized.
The property should be outstanding. This way it’s attractive to potential renters and current tenants will also want to renew their leases. You can achieve this through continuous property upgrades, hiring professional cleaners, performing regular property inspections and scheduling preventive maintenance.
7. Honor Your Tenants’ Privacy
Your tenants deserve quiet enjoyment of the rental space. Even if you’re the property owner, you must respect their privacy. You can’t come and go as you please. State laws mandate that property access by the landlord is limited to specific conditions.
You must issue a notice if you plan to conduct a property inspection. Minimal disruptions during the day will also generally be appreciated by your tenants.
8. Balance Being Firm and Kind
As a landlord it’s important to understand where to draw the line. You need to treat all the your tenants equally and with respect. That means should issues occur, you need to be firm but empathetic.
At the end of the day, you’ve both signed a contract that dictates your responsibilities. If the tenant fails to uphold their end of the agreement, you need to take proper action.
9. Adopt a Responsive Mindset
As the owner, your tenants depend on you to find solutions to property-related concerns. If you’re able to respond quickly, trust is built. Therefore it’s important to create a system where your Jacksonville renters can contact you especially during critical situations.
Provide a number they can reach. Respond to calls and designate a point person when you’re not around.
Bottom line
There are many steps you can take to help craft a solid working relationship with your tenants. Not all property owners have the time to address the demands of being a landlord.
If that's the case, you have the option to hire a property management company. They can lend their expertise and offer the best customer service to your renters. You also gain peace of mind when you know that your Jacksonville tenants are well looked after.
Get in touch with Gifford Properties & Management. We provide vital property management services from marketing and tenant screening, to rent collection and property maintenance.
