Clear communication is the lifeblood of any professional relationship. And when it comes to having an excellent leasing experience, the key is effective communication between the landlord and the renter. But it is not always easy to find ideal tenants for your property. The only way to maintain positive relationships with them is a shared responsibility.
Terrible tenants can make your job as a landlord difficult. However, there is a method for dealing with horrible tenants that lessens the likelihood of things getting out of hand. That’s where communication skills come in.
So, how can you enhance your communication skills with your tenants? Just keep reading this post to see how you can improve your interpersonal skills and have a stronger relationship with all of your tenants.
How to Develop Strong Communication Skills as a Landlord
Use technology to improve landlord-tenant communication
Every day, as a landlord, you are tugged in numerous directions. You must handle tenant demands, keep crucial business paperwork up-to-date, promote your properties to find new tenants, and so on. It can quickly become overwhelming if you do not have the right rental property technology in place.
With all of the tools and technology accessible to landlords today, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to exchange information with your tenants promptly and transparently. For example, you can email payment reminders and receipts when rent is due and paid.
In addition, maintenance requests can be collected via email or text, providing a written record of when work was required and done.
Tenants can report issues anytime and quickly add images or other details using digital maintenance request options. Similarly, landlords can use management systems to monitor maintenance procedures, follow up, or delegate duties to other vendors.
However, when working with property management, you want to ensure you’re working with a company that uses top-notch technology because investing in technology is crucial for effective communication. In addition, the success of your rental property investment will depend on how tenants are taken care of during their lease.
Communication increases when you don’t have to chase your tenants down for an answer or play phone tag with them. Instead, create a digital communication system, especially if your residents like it.
Handling difficult conversations with tenants
You have to interact with tenants regularly if you rent out your property. Even a tenant who is often easygoing occasionally needs a stern conversation. So even though being a landlord is seen as “passive income,” much effort is involved.
Here, there is room for balance. Both rights and duties apply to your tenant. You should have conversations with them if they are misbehaving. But you must exercise caution, especially if you anticipate these tenants will remain there for a while.
How do you approach tenants and have difficult discussions without coming off as the big, terrible landlord?
Even if the tenant is responsible for the issue, they could still try to lay the blame on you. So make sure that everything is lined up. This proves that you’ve taken all the necessary steps to fulfill your obligations as a landlord. It also implies that you are equipped with the appropriate proof at hand.
There is a strategy to deal with terrible tenants that reduces the possibility of things spiraling out of control. You accomplish this by being especially sensitive. Tell them how you feel instead of placing the blame on them. Put less emphasis on what they did wrong and more on you and your needs.
But it’s crucial to be careful not to absolve them of accountability unintentionally. While you shouldn’t directly criticize them, you shouldn’t assure them they are innocent. They might seize upon this and use it as a justification for abdicating responsibility for their conduct.
The good news is that most people will easily accept responsibility for their acts if you approach them sensitively. You shouldn’t need to engage in conflict as long as you don’t become enraged in the heat of the moment.
Ultimately, your main objective when dealing with problematic renters should be to prevent the situation from worsening. You can keep the person in a pleasant mood if you are prepared for difficult conversations.
Communicate lease terms and policies
The foundation of a tenancy is a residential lease or rental agreement, which outlines the duties and rights that belong to both the landlord and the renters. It is not only a legally binding agreement that the parties can enforce in court. It is also a convenient document that contains all the necessary business information, including the duration of the tenant’s occupancy and the monthly rent payable.
Different states will have laws governing notices and regulations for landlords and tenants. Still, it’s always vital to get legal information in writing.
Most landlords use email to communicate with their renters since it is widely recognized as a method of legal notice. However, you can also send a certified letter for more security.
Knowing your state’s legal requirements is vital when speaking with tenants regarding lease expiration. For instance, before accessing a unit for any reason, landlords must give 24-hour written notice.
List the sums owing, exact due dates, and any written expectations when terminating a lease or other arrangement. You can send these warnings through email, but it may also be beneficial to hand deliver a printed copy to the renter.
Final Thought
It might be challenging to be a landlord at times. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to predict how smoothly your time as a property owner will go, even if you have exceptional communication skills.
However, you’ll likely deal with your tenants less frequently if you try to develop clear and efficient communication with them. Therefore, to create more effective and profitable professional connections, especially those between landlords and tenants, you should always work to enhance your communication skills.