A Guide to Good Landlord-Tenant Relations

By DoItYourself.com Staff

Good tenant relations are important if you want to manage rental properties without encountering undue stress. I have been managing rental properties for the past 14 years. In the beginning, I managed properties owned by other people. I currently manage two properties I own myself. Over the years, I have learned the value of good tenant relations. Here are some tips you should follow:

You will have good landlord-tenant relations if you choose your tenants wisely. The best landlord in the world cannot make up for having bad tenants. Screen all prospective tenants through a reliable screening service or take the time to do it yourself. A credit report, criminal check, and references from a previous landlord and current employer are mandatory. You would be surprised what one reference might say that the others gave no hint of.

Once, I was ready to approve a rental application of a young woman until her previous landlord returned my call. Her credit report was good. Her criminal report was clean. Her boss gave her a glowing reference as well. Her landlord, however, revealed that she and her boyfriend (who moved in without signing the lease) had physical fights and had destroyed her apartment. Be thorough.

You will have good landlord-tenant relations if you are kind to your tenants. It pays to be nice. Do not treat your tenants as if they are beneath you, but instead as your equals. They live in your home, and if they like and respect you, they will be more prone to taking care of it for you. If repairs obviously need to be done, do not ignore them. Always ask your tenants if they need anything when you collect the rent. Do not just take the money and run. Call them and their family members by name. Smile. Make your visits pleasant.

This past winter, I had some major problems in a townhouse I own that was out of my control. I did not have to power to get the repairs done expediently as there was a homeowners group in charge of repairs. My tenants were terribly inconvenienced, but they did not give me a hard time (which they had every right to do). This was because they liked and respected me.

You will have good landlord-tenant relations if you are not a pushover. Being kind does not mean becoming a doormat. From the very first meeting, be professional. You are not your tenant's best friend, so do not be over friendly, or tenants will try to take advantage of you. If you allow them to pay the rent late without charging a late fee, they will continue to pay late. If you allow them to have pets when the lease clearly states no pets, they will break other rules.

I have made the mistake of being too friendly and un-businesslike with a tenant I felt sorry for. I did not charge her a security deposit and allowed her to pay late. In the end, she moved out without paying the last month's rent and left the apartment damaged and filthy. The damages came out of my pocket.

You will have good landlord tenant relations if you take care of your property. If your tenants see that you care about the condition of your property and want them to live in a home that is clean and well cared for, they will also take pride in the condition of the house. In turn, taking care of your property will cause neighbors to do the same, increasing your property value and ensuring that your good tenants stay.

To have good landlord tenant relations, you should treat your tenants in the same way you would want to be treated. Be friendly but firm, and your tenants (who you have chosen carefully), will be kind and fair to you.

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