What Landlords Wished Tenants Knew

December 9, 2020 admin

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Punctual Payments

Most tenants who have rented properties in the past are aware that, for the most part, rent is due on the 1st of the month. Some landlords may have different due dates for rent payments though. Others may work with tenants to have half of the rent paid in two payments per month. Regardless of what is outlined in the lease, ensure your tenants know when rent is due.

Respect the Rules

When signing a lease, tenants agree to abide by a variety of rules and regulations. These can be both local enforcement rules, as well as those specific to the landlord or property owner. It is important for landlords to outline their personal rules in the lease. This also applies to larger multi-unit properties, as respect for the rules means respect for your neighbors.

Household Basics

While it may seem like a no brainer, tenants may need to be reminded to tend to basic household tasks. Taking out the garbage and keeping the yard tidy if your lease indicates that it is the tenant’s responsibility. Inside, remind tenants that removing the batteries from a beeping smoke detector is not the way to fix a dying battery issue. A good reminder is to change the batteries in each smoke detector when the clocks change for daylight savings time.

Likewise, living in a colder environment means frost and frozen pipes during the winter months. Landlords may want to include instructions for tenants on what to do to prevent frozen pipes. If the property is managed locally, a simple gesture of dropping off an inexpensive outdoor faucet cover can be a great opportunity to discuss with tenants the importance of weatherizing before the cold really starts to set in.

Fido and Fluffy Aren’t Free

It is almost a rarity to encounter someone who doesn’t have a dog or a cat at home. Durango is a very pet friendly city, but renting to tenants with pets can be tricky. Often, there may be an increased deposit or pet rent included in the lease clause if there is a pet. Tenants need to be up front in terms of how many, the size, age, and type of pets that will be present.

Landlord-Tenant Communication is Key

With the various things that have occurred in 2020, there are likely several landlords and property management companies that have fielded calls from worried tenants. Keeping an open line of communication is essential when it comes to income issues that may have happened this year. Maintaining polite honesty can help to make a stressful time more manageable for all parties involved.

Landlords and Tenants Can Work Together

Managing a property can involve a significant amount of upkeep and maintenance. It is important that tenants work with their landlord or property manager when it comes to home maintenance tasks such as HVAC service or other inspection appointments. This can help to keep the home in comfortable and safe shape, allowing both the tenant and landlord to rest easy.

Conclusion

Tenants and landlords or property managers are not mind readers. Communication between parties is essential to not only tenant retention, but also home maintenance. With several decades of experience under our belts, we are well-versed in ensuring that tenants know what is expected of them, and what they can expect from us. Why not drop us a line and let us know how we can help!