If you are diligent about keeping records, you know exactly what it costs to have a tenant move and to thoroughly clean, paint, and repair the unit. You know what it costs to advertise and how much time you have to devote to showing the apartment, interviewing prospects, doing credit checks, and having a new tenant move in.
If you’re lucky, you’ll find new tenants right away. But the reality is that when a tenant moves out, you’re likely to have a vacancy and no rental income for about two months. By doing what you can to keep your tenants happy, you increase the likelihood that they will not move out, and you will not have to deal with the extra expenditures of money, time, and energy.
The Relationship Starts with You
To borrow from the Boy Scout Law, a landlord should be “trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful, thrifty, and clean.” You can add obedient (to local, state, and federal regulations) and brave (when you have to evict a tenant).
Keep a positive attitude and treat your tenants with respect. Listen — and hear — what they say when they talk to you. Be friendly — without being a friend — and show interest when they talk about family or jobs.
You have bad days, too. Try not to show them to your tenant. If you can’t be positive and upbeat one day, postpone talking to your tenant for a day or two. A good night’s sleep or a change in the weather may be all it takes to improve your mood.
Show Appreciation
Let your tenants know in small ways that you appreciate their business. Thank them when they help out, whether it’s sweeping a stairway, shoveling snow, or simply paying rent on time every month. They’ll appreciate knowing that you noticed and care.
Keep in touch. When you see them, ask how things are going, and whether they have any problems in the unit. Tell them again and again in different ways that you want to provide an excellent home and that they can help out by letting you know when maintenance is needed.
Go One Step Further
Do a little more than your tenant would expect from a landlord. It would take only a couple of dollars to provide a replacement package of light bulbs or a plunger for the toilet. You can put a planter or a flat of flowers outside your tenant’s door in the spring.
Be concerned about your tenant’s safety. Let him know if there’s been a rash of vandalism or break-ins in the neighborhood. When you tell your tenant about it, ask if you can double check the door and window locks to see that they’re secure. Also look at hall and outdoor lights. Replace them if they’re dim or burned out.
If there are break-ins in the neighborhood, this is a good time to remind your tenant about renter’s insurance. It will cover your tenant’s personal property losses that result from theft or other illegal activities. Most policies will also cover losses from your tenant’s car.
Remember that you, as well as your tenant, benefit from your security precautions. He will be more alert going to and from the house to the car and about strange noises if you have reported that there are problems in the area. You benefit because your insurance premium will be lower if your agent knows you take every reasonable safety precaution. Tenants who know their landlords are concerned about their welfare are much less likely to sue, so your liability risk will also be reduced.
Tell Tenants About Resources in the Area
Keep a list of social service agencies and phone numbers that can be used if one of your tenants is laid off from work. Many people don’t realize that agencies in most communities can be a source of help. They range from food banks to housing assistance to Santa Claus Girls or similar agencies that will give parents a few new toys for their children during the holidays.
by Judy Tremore with Deborah Boersma Zondervan
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.
