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Sneaky Landlord Tricks

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Platinum Properties Investor Network

It's probably one of the more vexing aspects of investing in real estate and owning rental properties - how to get those gosh darn tenants to pay the rent on time, every time. Following are a few ideas to either implement yourself or have your property management company do it.

iStock_000005550477Small House on Pile of Cash

If you've been reading this blog or listening to The Creating Wealth Show with Jason Hartman (yours truly :-) )for any length of time, you know we STRONGLY recommend that income property owners use a management company.

But whether you do or you don't, here are two ways to trick, cajole, and encourage your tenants to be timely with rent payments.

1. Idea number one is to get as many of your tenants as possible on an automatic rent payment plan. These days, it's easy to have payments taken out of accounts. This is the wave of the future. It might not be too long before landlords require an automatic withdrawal plan as terms of the lease. Talk about reducing headaches.

2. The second idea is to have a drawing every month for a $25 gift certificate that all "on time" rent payers will be entered into. It's like a rent rebate for the winner. This works well if you have multiple tenants. Hey, twenty-five bucks is almost a quarter of a hundred. Most people get excited enough about that to pay their rent on time.

If you're having trouble with late rent payments, maybe these ideas stirred your gray matter a bit. Get creative. Trick or bribe ‘em.

For more real estate investment tip and advice, sign up for my free CD at http://www.jasonhartman.com/freecd/ 

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Great tips it does seem people are more motivated when there is a beneifit for them. It does pay to think outside the box.

Oct 21, 2009 04:44 AM
Peggy Chirico
Prudential CT Realty - Manchester, CT
REALTOR® 860-748-8900, Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate

And to borrow  an idea from some banks who offer an incentive for direct pay, you could discount the rent by a few bucks if they seem reluctant to do direct pay. 

Oct 21, 2009 04:50 AM
Mick Michaud
Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX
Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

There's all kinds of things to do.  What's fun is getting them past or with the blessing of the local renters unions.

If you have money, you're guilty until taken to the cleaners.

 

Oct 21, 2009 05:26 AM
Leslie Prest
Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ
Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

Best thing we've found? Screen your prospects really well in the first place, and don't put them in if there have been problems with other landlords or other things show up in the background check OR if they trigger red flags when you talk to them.

Oct 21, 2009 06:06 AM
Jason Hartman
Platinum Properties Investor Network - Costa Mesa, CA

Thank you all for your added creative landlord tips. Keep them coming!

Oct 21, 2009 06:09 AM
Phil Graves
utahbuyeragent.com - Orem, UT
Utah Buyer Agent

Jason -

Those are some good tips!

THANKS!

-Phil Graves-

utahbuyeragent.com

utahbuyeragent.com

Oct 22, 2009 06:48 AM
Eric Boyd
Red Rooster Property Management, 904-469-6335 - Jacksonville, FL
FL Lic Real Estate Broker / Property Manager

Advertising a property as having discounted rent is a really good idea to attract tenant prospects.  The "sneaky" part comes when the discount is in the form of paying the next month's rent prior to the 1st of the next month.  This could also help with late payments on rent, so the "non-discounted" rent rate could actually include the late charge.

Oct 23, 2009 01:28 AM
Jason Hartman
Platinum Properties Investor Network - Costa Mesa, CA

Thank you Eric, another great idea! Landlords and Property Managers take note!

Oct 23, 2009 04:55 AM
Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

Jason,  25 bucks IS a quarter of a 100! 

Enforcing late fees and evicting the late payers works too.  Once rid of the bad eggs, make sure your screening process gets you good qualifed ones for the next go around.  A gardener must keep pulling weeds to get the garden to grow.

Nov 17, 2009 04:38 AM