Good tenants are a commodity. As a Residential Property Manager, it’s essential to maintain a pleasant yet professional relationship with your tenants, avoiding tenant complaints when possible. Tenant turnover creates expenses like costs to advertise the vacancy and repairs for previous tenant damage. When you have ideal tenants, there are several things that can be done to help keep that tenant happy, lowering turnover.
1. Transparency
As a Property Manager, it’s essential to say what you mean and mean what you say. All tenants must be provided, in writing, a set of property rules/covenant that covers everything from noise violations to parking regulations. Present this information up front before a tenant buys a condo in your building but in a manner that lets the buyer know these regulations are in place for their safety and happiness while they enjoy living in your community.
2. Accessibility
All tenants want to know that they’re not alone if something happens. From a broken pipe to an insect infestation or neighbor that continually violates property noise regulations, your tenants want to be assured that help is just a phone call away. They know they can reach property management during regular business hours, but what if a pipe breaks at 2 a.m.? Make it easy for your tenants to reach the professional help they need when they need it.
3. Preventative Maintenance
Tenants typically don’t mind allowing access to their space when they know that preventative maintenance measures can save them headaches, hassle and significantly reduce the risk of personal property damage in the future. Water damage from corroded galvanized pipes, copper pinhole leaks, root intrusion and structural failure are common issues in the Chicagoland area. Keep your tenants happy (and dry) by scheduling preventative maintenance projects like correcting pipe problems. Choose minimally disruptive services like NuFlow, one of the top pipe restoration methods for fixing leaking, corroded or eroded pipes.
4. Timely Repairs
If your condo does require repairs, the issue should be addressed in a timely manner. The issue needs to be acknowledged, a plan formulated to correct the issue, the repair made correctly and then a follow-up after the repair to ensure that all is well and the tenant is satisfied. If possible, give your tenant a timeline for the work. Communication is essential when dealing with repairs to a tenant’s home. Promptly return all of the tenant’s calls and always maintain a polite, professional demeanor.
5. Consideration
Respect of privacy is crucial for maintaining long-term tenant happiness. Understanding availability for a maintenance visit is equally important. Most tenants won’t be available during typical working hours so if a repair or preventative maintenance appointment needs to be scheduled then, be sure to give the tenant ample notice so arrangements can be made.