Unpleasant experiences such as unpaid rent or holes in the walls are much better remembered by many landlords than good tenants who've paid their rent on time, taken good care of the house, and honored the terms of the lease.
It's human nature to obsess over what went wrong. However, we can all train our brains to focus more on what went well and be grateful for the pleasant experiences in our lives.
One way to do that is to practice gratitude. Everyone feels good when they feel appreciated and valued. Don't you love it yourself when someone sends you a thank you note?
As a landlord, you should learn to show your appreciation for the good tenants who help you run your monthly rentals business without giving you a headache.
Expressing your appreciation won't only cheer up your tenants and put a smile on their faces, but it'll also have a positive impact on your relationship with your tenants, your reputation, and your business.
The good news is that showing gratitude doesn't have to be complicated or time - consuming. Simple gestures can go a long way. After all, it's the thought that counts.
Now, let's look at a few things you can do to show your tenants that you're grateful for them. We bet that most of them will reciprocate these gestures in different ways.
- A clean house
- A welcome basket
- Be responsive
- Technology
- Keep promises
- Regular check-ins
- Involve your tenants
- Consider upgrades
- Important occasions
- Respect the privacy
- Lease renewal incentives
- Organize regular events
- Useful tips
- Helping hand
- Be flexible
- Be considerate
- Be fair
- Ask for feedback
1 - Give your tenants the gift of a clean house
It's important to start the tenancy off on the right foot and show your tenant that you care. That's why you should make sure your place is properly cleaned and ready for occupancy before they move in.
The last thing a tenant wants to see when they enter the property is dust and stains on the tables and a leaky sink.
2 - Prepare a welcome basket
An easy and relatively inexpensive way to welcome your tenants is to put together a welcome basket with a few snacks and basic items they might need the day they move in, such as toiletries.
Also, put a welcome note for them in the basket. This will make them feel welcome at your property and more likely to stay for a longer period of time.
3 - Be responsive
Responsiveness impresses tenants more than anything else. If you return their calls, emails, or text messages in a timely manner, it basically means you appreciate them and don't take them for granted.
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Never ignore their requests or tell them they'll have to wait until an unknown date for a problem in the house to be fixed. If for some reason you won't be available for a few days or weeks, let them know and tell them who to contact in an emergency.
4 - Take advantage of technology
Time is one of the most precious things we have in this life. The more you use technology, the more respect you show for your tenants' time.
So invest in digital tools and solutions that can streamline communication with your tenants and improve customer service. Automate as many aspects of your business as possible.
5 - Keep your promises
Just as you want to work with good tenants, tenants want to work with efficient and honest landlords. By keeping your promises, you show great respect to your tenants. So do everything you promised them on time and fulfill your responsibilities under the lease agreement.
6 - Schedule regular check-ins
You shouldn't wait for your tenants to alert you to a problem in the house. Every one or two months, actively ask them if everything is okay and if they're satisfied.
It's because sometimes tenants don't have a proper understanding of property management and don't report problems that they think are "minor". Yet even "minor" problems like a small leak can lead to huge costs if they aren't fixed.
Regular check-ins and inspections not only show that you care about your tenants, but also prevent expensive repairs that could inconvenience them in the future.
However, you shouldn't overdo it because tenants don't like landlords who're constantly breathing down their necks. If you overdo it, you may also give the impression that you want to please people.
7 - Involve your tenants in the decision-making process
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If you plan to paint the inside of the apartment or redo the front yard, why not ask your tenants what they want? That way, they feel more invested in the property.
You don't have to give them full control over such processes and decisions. But you can offer them some pre-approved options and ask for their opinion. You can do that easily by creating a short online survey.
8 - Consider upgrades
Tenants aren't just looking for convenience. They also want up-to-date amenities and furnishings. To show how much you care, you don't have to renovate the entire place.
You can improve their experience by providing new appliances, installing modern ceiling fans, or replacing the old blinds and flooring.
9 - Congratulate your tenants on important occasions
It would be a nice gesture to send your tenants a congratulatory message on important occasions like Christmas or New Year's Eve.
Some landlords even go so far as to send handwritten birthday cards to their tenants. You should only consider this option if you've known the person for a long time and know that they'll not take it as an unpleasant invasion of their privacy.
10 - Respect your tenants' privacy
Building trust and showing gratitude to your tenants can be as simple as respecting their privacy. But how can you do that?
Let them know before you or a contractor visits the home, or schedule a time that suits the tenant. All of this shows that you value their privacy.
11 - Offer lease renewal incentives
If you're happy with a tenant, you can offer them incentives such as a discount on the rent for the first month or two when they renew the lease. Or you could offer them free services like pest control or carpet cleaning after the lease is extended.
This will keep them happy and give the house a fresh look and feel.
12 - Organize regular events for residents
If there are several tenants living in a building, it's good to organize events like a barbecue every now and then, where you can get to know them better and make them feel part of a community.
Make sure your relationship with your tenants remains professional. It's still a business. But that doesn't mean you can't spend some fun time with them.
13 - Pass on useful tips
Giving your tenants decorating tips, maintenance checklists, and reminders about neighborhood social events and activities is another nice gesture your tenants are sure to remember for years to come.
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14 - Lend them a helping hand
If you find out your tenant is planning to redecorate their room or bring in new heavy furniture, ask them if you can help. We're sure they'll appreciate it.
15 - Be understanding and flexible
We've all been there. Something unexpected happens and throws off our monthly budget plans. If your tenant is in a bind and asks for an extension to pay the rent, be understanding and flexible and give them more time.
However, if they're always paying the rent late, it may be time to consider terminating the lease.
16 - Be considerate when raising the rent
If you decide to raise the rent, be sure to let your tenants know well ahead of time. It's better not to raise the rent on occasions like Christmas, when many people are short of cash.
17 - Be fair
Treating your tenants equally is another way to value them. This is especially important in buildings where word gets around quickly. To avoid being accused of favoritism, be fair to all tenants.
If you give one tenant an extended period to pay the rent under certain circumstances, you should do the same with the other tenants, if possible.
18 - Ask them for feedback
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One of the most important traits of successful people, including property owners and managers, is that they always want to improve.
If you, too, are on a quest to be more successful, know that asking for feedback on your personality and performance can help you become a better version of yourself in your personal and professional life. You can do this with simple, fun, and quick surveys.
Final thoughts
It's worth taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate the tenants you're happy with. They help keep you in business, so it's only appropriate that you show your gratitude in as many ways as possible. Be creative and know that gratitude works wonders.
