How to be a great landlord to your tenants

As a landlord, one of the most important aspects of your job is maintaining good relationships with each of your tenants. When you and your tenant are on the same page, it can make property management that much easier and ensures both parties are happy.

To celebrate National Renter Day, we’ve compiled a couple of best practices and tools that will help you be the best landlord your renters will ever have. 

How to be a great landlord

If you have amazing tenants already, being a great landlord can be fairly easy. But even if your tenants aren’t the best of the best, you should still strive to be as hospitable and professional as possible. In addition to always running a thorough screening report on applicants and running your properties like a business, here are several tips on how to be a better landlord. 

1. Communicate often and promptly

They say communication is key, and that’s no different when it comes to a harmonious landlord and tenant relationship. One of the simplest ways to keep your tenants happy is to always be available and thoroughly communicate with renters about maintenance issues, property updates, and more. Be sure to share your phone number and email address with your tenants, and make it a habit to respond to any communications within a 24 hour period. 

2. Understand all your local and state laws

To protect both yourself and your renters, make sure you’re up to date on the latest local and state laws regarding rental properties. This will help minimize the risk of any legal issues and ensure you’re running a fair and ethical business. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with new regulations and make sure to communicate in writing the rental laws your tenants should be aware of. 

3. Leverage digital rental management solutions

Simplifying and automating manual tasks for your tenants will go a long way in solidifying your reputation as a great landlord. Digital tools, like RentSpree, make it easy to manage your properties and take the hassle out of tasks like paying rent. With RentSpree, landlords get access to tools like:

• Tenant screening. Powered by TransUnion, RentSpree’s tenant screening solution gives you the confidence to screen and lease your next rental property. With tenant screening, you’ll get instant access to reports like credit history, rental history, and background checks, ensuring your tenants have been thoroughly vetted and pass your criteria. 
• Income verification. Take your screening process one step further when you use RentSpree’s income verification tool. When you use income verification, you’ll gain access to bank-verified proof of income and employment statements, giving you peace of mind that your applicant is who they say they are. 
• Payments. Moving your rent collection online with RentSpree Payments is a win-win for you and your renters. Say goodbye to missing or late payments when you automate collection with RentSpree. And tenants can skip the hassle of having to mail off a check and get monthly reminders of when their next payment is due. 

4. Make a welcoming first impression

Once you’ve gone through the process of vetting and selecting your next tenant, consider writing a welcome letter or providing helpful resources to leave renters when they move in. While this isn’t a requirement by any means, making a good first impression can put your tenants at ease and create a positive overall experience. 

5. Keep your property well-maintained 

An easy way to keep your tenants happy and protect your image as a great landlord, be sure to maintain the upkeep of your property and fix any issues that arise immediately. Tenants don’t want to live in a rundown property, so keep a list of contractors and maintenance providers on hand at all times. If you don’t live near your property or travel often, consider looking into a management service that can handle repairs and maintenance concerns in your place. 

6. Resolve issues quickly and calmly

Unfortunately, no rental scenarios are ever perfect and there may come a day when you have to tackle a tough issue with your tenants. Rather than shy away from the problem or become confrontational, address the situation with professionalism and remain calm at all times. Don’t let small issues like maintenance requests or questions from your tenants go unanswered. Remember, there are laws that protect your rights as a landlord and if the situation continues to escalate consider hiring legal support to help resolve the issue. 

Become a better landlord with RentSpree

Being a great landlord doesn’t have to be complicated or a stressful task. In fact, even small changes like introducing new digital tools can help you be the best landlord possible for all of your tenants. 

As you continue to educate yourself on best practices and build your relationships with your tenants, consider tools like RentSpree that simplify your daily responsibilities even further. Interested in learning more? See how RentSpree can help you find great tenants and manage your rental property with ease today.