Whatever business you’re in, keeping your clients happy is vital to success and growth. This is relevant within property management, too. As a landlord you have a responsibility to ensure that the tenant is happy – as well as improving the tenant’s happiness, it also brings benefits to you as their landlord.
Having a long-standing tenant is more cost-effective than having vacant properties and dealing with the associated turnover costs. To ensure tenants stay for a lengthy duration, landlords need to be attentive and cater for their needs. This is important to tenants too. In fact, in a study by Your Move letting agents, 46 per cent of the 2,000 tenants questioned said that finding the right landlord is one of the most important factors when renting.
So, how can you ensure that your tenants are happy?
Customer service
The first thing you expect, no matter what business you deal with, is good customer service. Be responsive and open to your tenants’ enquiries. Making sure that they know the best way to contact you and being available is a simple adjustment but is fundamental to creating a good relationship.
Speed
Addressing any problems that your tenant may have in a quick manner shows willingness. Put yourself in the tenant’s shoes; if your washing machine broke, you’d want a fix or replacement as soon as possible. Even if the problem isn’t a quick fix, keep them up to date and give a time frame on when to expect a solution – don’t keep your tenants in the dark.
Flexibility
Every landlord has their own set of rules, whether it’s no pets or when rent is due. If you have good, long-standing tenants, create a positive relationship by accommodating changes. Being flexible and allowing pets, for example, will only benefit all involved.
Cosmetic improvements
Many landlords neglect their properties when they are occupied, choosing to renovate and improve only when the property is vacant. Giving a fresh coat of paint or an update in furniture is especially necessary for longer-term tenants. Get ideas from your tenants too; after all, they’re the ones living there. They may have a particular décor style that they’d like.
As well as having a good relationship with your tenants, having a thorough inventory in place prevents disputes when they come to leave. Skribes are Birmingham’s leading independent inventory and property services specialists, providing landlords with inventory reports, check-in reports, interim reports, check-out reports and legionella reports.
To find out how we can help make it easier to manage your property, call us today on 07891 551 905 or email info@skribes.co.uk.