In 2021, more than 434,000 eviction cases were filed across the country. Every eviction represents a lose/lose situation for landlords and tenants. It's much better for everyone to have a great landlord tenant relationship that lasts for years.
There are steps that both sides can take to foster such a relationship. Let's take a quick look at what each party can do to build a positive working relationship.
Landlord Responsibilities
From the landlord's perspective, it all starts with how to choose tenants. If you choose the first people that come along, they may not be the best long-term fit for your rental. Instead, you need to have a robust tenant screening process in place to find the right people.
Finding the Right Tenants
Successful and lawful tenant screening relies on a good knowledge of local landlord-tenant laws. It's also vital to abide by federal fair housing legislation.
You can go it alone, but it can be a time-consuming process. Property managers are experienced in finding the right tenants for rental properties. A property management company can ensure that you stay on the right side of the law as you search for someone who will pay and stay.
Show You Care
Fulfilling your landlord responsibilities will show them that you care. You want your tenants to feel that you're invested in their enjoyment of the home, as well as preserving the value of your investment.
This could include:
- Reinvesting part of your rental income in maintenance and improvements to the home
- Follow through on the rental agreement, including providing services such as pest control
- Be approachable and promptly follow up on concerns
Meeting with the tenants and answering their calls is crucial. But if your schedule doesn't allow you time to be available, work with a property manager. The tenant will then have a go-to person and feel secure knowing where to turn if something goes wrong.
Tenant Responsibilities
As a tenant, you also need to understand the landlord and tenant rights set out in your rental agreement. For example, the agreement may include:
- Taking out insurance for your belongings
- Keeping the property clean
- Maintaining the yard
Make sure that you honor these commitments to show the landlord that you respect them and their property.
Another crucial step is paying rent on time each month. If you ever find that you're having difficulties paying your rent, talk to your landlord as soon as possible. If you've already built a strong relationship, you may be able to work something out to see you through a rough patch.
The Key to a Great Landlord Tenant Relationship
With good communication and mutual respect, the landlord tenant relationship can thrive. But if you've already got a full-time job, it pays to work with a property management company.
At Kenny Realty, we offer a comprehensive property management service for landlords in the San Francisco Bay area. From marketing to evictions, we can handle the entire process.
Click here to learn more about our services and start a conversation about your rental property.
Evan has been in the real estate and property management field for 6+ years. He is experienced in working with first time home buyers, is an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), Seller Representative Specialist® (SRS) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist®(SRES®). He also works closely with Kenny Realty owners, getting their rental properties rented as quickly as possible. Evan is responsible for monitoring rental market conditions and advising our owners on market rates. He has outstanding communication with all clients he works with, keeping everyone in the loop at all times. He is the third generation of the Kenny family to practice property management on the peninsula.