. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

By traveling the rental world, many have gained a deep understanding of the tenant market from many different perspectives, including investment, interpersonal, professional, and even historical. Through me difficult situation, I have discovered a common point that affects all perspectives: communication. It marks the fine line that divides interpersonal and professional rental interaction, and the way it exists (or not!) It really impacts tenant-landlord relationships from the ground up. No matter how you cut it, communication is the word, so … let’s talk!

We will start the day by listing the most frequent complaints from tenants, explaining how proper and effective communication can ease all associated tensions.

Common Tenant Complaint Topics

  1. Work orders
  2. Privacy
  3. Lack of assistance with inquiries
  4. Rudeness of the owner
  5. Nearby tenants
  6. Deposit refund

Starting at the top – It’s easy to understand how an unanswered work order can upset a tenant and is usually the result of a disorganized landlord or manager. Always react to the work order, even to say simply “we have received the request.” This way, the tenant is not left in a frustrating state of limbo. Another idea: leave a list of approved service contacts (plumber, electrician, etc.), so the tenant can personally handle the situation (while deducting the cost of the rent and sending you the bill). When it comes to privacy, lack of communication about when a person will enter a tenant’s home is a common source of hostility. The landlord MUST have confirmation that the tenant has been notified 24 hours in advance; voicemail doesn’t count. Here’s a technique: most email accounts allow you to “read receipts”, which inform you when the email recipient has opened the message, a more than adequate form of confirmation, especially considering that dates and times are recorded. open. to send e-mails!

As the issue of privacy begins to shift from professional to personal interaction, the quality of the interpersonal relationship stands out when it focuses on tenant inquiries that are not part of the landlord’s obligations. For example: John Tenant has an unusually high water bill and is concerned about a potential problem. John asks the property management team, but they do not provide answers or instructions, simply because it is outside of their purview. You’re impressed … at the very least, the management team could provide the phone number to a utility inspector and follow up on the results. In this way, the tenant will feel appreciated and satisfied, generating a sense of community and belonging. John is now more likely to respect his management team, as the team has shown mutual respect. Tenants break fewer rules, seeking to improve the quality of the community when they have reverence for the owners / managers. Landlords never need to show superiority muscles over tenants; this is forever rude, and it will always disintegrate healthy relationships – be friendly!

On a similar note, building a sense of respect among tenants will serve to ease tenant-tenant tension, as tenants will consider their neighbors before turning up the volume or littering for all to see. One way to facilitate friendly interaction between tenants is to host community gatherings for everyone to enjoy and interact with; in addition, such an act awards “brownie points” to the owner. It is always more difficult to ignore a person without a face; paint the picture for the tenants and see the benefits. Lastly, remember that outgoing tenants are fantastic sources of referral; Avoid leaving a bitter taste in your mouth by handling security deposit procedures in a simple, equitable and detailed manner. DO NOT frivolously overcharge for necessary adjustments in the newly vacated apartment. If you don’t mind that I speak from a personal account, I was once charged $ 15 for a bottle of water that was left in the refrigerator. Although the instance was years ago, it is my most lasting memory of the shock regarding the apartment complex (whose name will remain unspoken).

To reiterate, my vision is to improve the rental world and in many situations the problem areas are the interpersonal relationships between tenants and landlord / managers. Although a number of different problems arise in the middle of rental agreements, most are the result of or are compounded by poor communication. Beyond that, a number can be resolved with proper communication. My next issue will review landlord complaints and more specifically how to ease your mind through proper communication. Don’t let interpersonal tension turn a good investment into a troubled business. Lend a hand by lending your ears.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *