We get it.
Being a landlord is by far not a glamorous job, nor is it an easy one. Some love it. Others do it as a necessity or a means to an end.
At Renters Warehouse, we do it because we love being America’s Professional Landlords. Every morning, we hold our reasons for being the best top of mind. We always execute the kind of award-winning service our customers have come to expect and their tenants deserve. But no matter how dedicated and passionate you are, being a landlord is a lifestyle choice and it’s one you can easily fail at if you’re not prepared.
Failure to Put Yourself in Your Tenant’s Shoes
Being a landlord means being available to your tenants when they need you most. Sometimes, that might be at the most inconvenient hours or on the most inconvenient of days. But if your tenant is dealing with a flooding toilet at 2am or no hot water on a cold Monday morning before their commute, remind yourself of how you would feel in their situations.
One of the quickest ways to upset a tenant is to fail to recognize their needs when they matter most. A burnt out lightbulb in their oven may not be an immediate cause for concern but a burnt out light in their driveway that helps them safely climb the stairs to their home every night should be. The golden rule, ‘treat others as you would like to be treated’ is paramount for landlords and should be executed at all times.
Failure to Respond
No one likes to hear their phone ring in the early morning hours. Nor do they like to hear it ring when they’ve just sat down to finally relax after a long day. But ignoring your tenant’s call is the quickest way to lose your tenant’s trust. You’ve chosen this profession for a reason and answering calls is all part of the experience.
Everyone gets busy and everyone has prior engagements, but ignoring your tenant is far worse than acknowledging that you’re busy. Next time you’re in a pinch, answer the call, listen to their request, and handle it accordingly. Even if you have to call them back, answering their call is a must.
Failure to Act
Even worse than failing to answer your tenant’s calls, is failing to act. That light bulb in their kitchen oven? You said you’d fix that the next day but now it’s been a week. You promised your faithful tenants who’ve rented from you for the past three years that you’d refresh the paint in their home this year but you keep putting it off.
Don’t make promises to your tenants you can’t keep. If you tell them you’re going to do something, make sure that you do it and in a timely manner. If there are roadblocks, keep them in the know.
In conclusion, being a landlord isn’t easy but if you approach it with enough passion, it can be an extremely rewarding and profitable lifestyle.
Just remember: your tenants always come first.
Got a tale of a landlord that’s failed you? We’d love to hear in the comments below or send us a tweet @ProLandlord! Tired of your landlord responsibilities? Why not learn more about our landlord services today.
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