Dictionary.com defines a landlord as “a person or organization that owns and leases apartments to others.” In actuality, it is hard to truly define what a landlord is, because a landlord wears so many different hats. Here are some of the roles that a landlord plays.
The Role of a Realtor
As a landlord, you are responsible for getting your apartments/ properties rented. When you are trying to fill a vacancy, you will often play the role of a Realtor. You will have to advertise your rentals, set appointments with prospective tenants to view the rentals and make yourself available to show the rentals.
Landlord as Salesperson
While attempting to get tenants to move into your units, you will also play the role of salesperson. You will have to explain why your property is more desirable than any other unit on the market and convince prospective tenants to rent from you.
Landlord as Detective
When trying to select the right tenant for your property, you will play the role of detective. You will have to gather information about the tenant by speaking to their former landlords, their employers and by running a credit check. You will then have to analyze all the information you gather and rely on instinct to determine if the tenant will be the right fit for your property. Things to look for include someone who is going to pay their rent on time, sign and abide by a long lease (at least a year), be respectful of their neighbors, be clean and not complain often.
You will also play the role of detective when handling tenant disputes. You will need to investigate to find the truth of what the dispute is about.
The role of detective will also fit when you are searching for the root cause of a maintenance problem. If you have a roof leak and no noticeable roof damage, you will certainly have to play detective to determine where the leak is coming from.
The Role of Negotiator
A landlord’s next role is that of a negotiator. When hiring outside contractors or repairmen, the landlord must negotiate to get the best price, as well as negotiate to get the person to come to the property as quickly as possible.
If a landlord has more than one unit, they must negotiate when buying materials to get the best price for buying in bulk. For example, if a landlord is going to buy four stoves from a store, it is reasonable to ask for some type of discount.
A landlord must also negotiate any contract they sign, whether it be the terms of a lease with a tenant, a mortgage with a bank or a contract with an electrician to hardwire smoke detectors.
The Role of Debt Collector
A landlord will play the role of a debt collector when they collect rent from their tenants each month. This role will intensify if a tenant is late on their rent or does not pay at all. The landlord must then enforce late fees or file to evict the tenant.
Landlord as Repairman
Even if a landlord does not have extensive construction knowledge, they will be called on for maintenance requests. A landlord will be called to fix broken doorknobs, blown out light bulbs, malfunctioning smoke detectors or to turn on the pilot light of a boiler.
As a landlord, it is a good idea to educate yourself on some maintenance basics. This will help save you from spending a lot of money to hire plumbers or other repairmen for a job that you may be able to easily fix yourself, such as a leaky faucet or toilet that will not stop running.
Landlord as Therapist/Counselor
Your tenants will often confide in you about very personal issues. They will call you in hysterics saying they can’t pay their rent because their roommate moved out or they broke up with their girlfriend. They will call you at two in the morning in a state of panic because they have a leak in their bathroom. In these situations, you will play the role of therapist or counselor as you try to calm the tenant down and work out a solution that benefits you both.
The Role of Supervisor/Watchdog
As a landlord you will be the supervisor of your units and of your tenants. You will need to provide a clean, quiet, safe and fully functioning environment for all to enjoy. You will need to perform preventative maintenance to keep your property in top condition and to keep your tenants happy.
By Erin Eberlin
Since 1946 the Carnahan name has had a reputation for honest and ethical Real Estate Property Management services in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Burbank/Glendale, Los Angeles, Westside and Conejo Valley areas.
The reason for our success is helping owners like you when they need it. Below is a partial list of property management services we provide to help you protect your real estate investment.
- Tenant placement
- Tenant screening (including: credit check, landlord and employment verification, social security trace report, California eviction check and criminal check)
- Regular property inspections
- Accounting and landlord bill payment
- Monthly financial reporting
- Maintenance service and supervision (we use only proven independent vendors)
- Collections
- Evictions
- We supply all the necessary forms to meet California’s Landlord/Tenant laws
- 24 hour emergency phone service
- Advertising to the broadest tenant base possible
Call or e-mail us today for more information. We’re ready to get started!
- Carnahan Property Management services Woodland Hills,West Hills, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Tarzana, Reseda, Topanga, Encino, Northridge, Van Nuys,North Hills,Chatsworth, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Simi Valley, West Lake Village, Agoura,Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Burbank. Call us at (818) 884-1500 and check if we can service your area.
