How to Build a Professional Landlord-Tenant Relationship in Bethesda, MD
AW Manage serves the Bethesda, Montgomery County and the Washington DC Metro area.
One of the biggest mistakes that private landlords make is becoming too friendly with their tenants. You need to have a respectful, professional relationship in place with the people who are renting your home. This will ensure expectations are met and responsibilities are shared. Today, we’re sharing some tips on how to establish and maintain the right relationship with your tenants.
Conduct Thorough Tenant Screening
Know your tenants. A thorough screening process will allow you to have a good idea about the people moving into your property. When you screen them well, you’ll know what kind of tenants they have been in the past, what they do for work, and how responsible they are financially. You’ll know if they have a criminal background and if they’re moving in with pets. Gather as much information on your tenants as you can before they move into your property.
Discuss the Lease before Move-In
A lease agreement is designed to protect you and your property. It protects the rights of your tenants, too. Leases can be difficult to understand. Take some time to go through the lease in detail so you can answer any questions and clear up any concerns. This is a good opportunity for you and your tenants to talk about who is responsible for maintaining the home, what’s allowed and not allowed, and how emergencies are to be handled.
Establish Expectations at the Beginning of a Tenancy
The best way to ensure you have a good relationship is by establishing your expectations and being consistent. Make sure your tenants know that rent is expected to be paid on time, and that they must comply with the lease. Discuss when you’ll be conducting inspections and under what conditions they can have overnight guests and pets. Communicate what you need from your tenants, and be willing to listen to what they need and expect from you.
Respond to Maintenance Needs
If tenants are unhappy with their landlord relationship, it’s usually due to maintenance. When landlords are unresponsive, tenants get upset. This is understandable. No one wants to live in a home that has leaking faucets and appliances that don’t work. When your tenant submits a maintenance request, respond to it immediately. Keep the lines of communication open so they know when to expect the repair to be complete. Then, follow up after it’s been fixed to make sure they’re satisfied.
These are some of the ways to ensure you and your tenants have a good relationship, free from conflict and disputes. If you have any questions about how to manage your tenant relationships, please contact us at AW Manage.