Being a property manager and a real estate professional for so many years, I have learned that cooperating tenants are a lot easier to communicate with than non-cooperating tenants. In order to have cooperating tenants, you need to create healthy and positive relationships with them. Here are a few suggestions and ideas:
- RESPECT: Respect the renters if you want them to respect you. First, you need to stop calling them clients. Second, if you have to approach them about a notice, a repair, or even an eviction, do so with respect. Finally, it never hurts to follow the “Golden Rule”: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
- EDUCATE: Educating the renters will provide a more comfortable and cooperative environment. People tend to become defensive when there is a lack of information. Lack of information creates fear; furthermore, fear creates defensiveness which in turn leads to non-cooperating renters. For example, if you need to access a renter’s unit for repairs to prevent major maintenance issues, then explain this situation to the renter. The renter will feel more comfortable and will cooperate.
- INVOLVE: Get your renters’ opinions and suggestions regarding the property management and any other issues pertaining to the rental property. Renters cooperate more when they know that their voices are being heard.
- RESPOND: Be professional about responding to renters’ requests. Return phone calls and emails promptly, discuss maintenance issues with respect, and resolve any concerns that they might have in a timely manner.
- SAFE AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT: Make sure that the rental property is safe for your renters. I can’t emphasize enough on the safety issue. Besides it being against the government rules and regulations, the lack of security and safety is also against humanity rules and regulations. It is our job to ensure renters safety. If you own a building, create a community within your building. Promote holiday gatherings, encourage community “board game night”, or promote “Potlucks” (to name just a few). Renters will feel safer when they get to know each other.
- SMILE: Smile! Smile! Smile! A smile on one’s face is worth a million words. It is human nature to smile back when someone smiles at you. Therefore, it is important to have a smile on your face when communicating with renters face-to-face. I know that it is sometimes difficult to smile especially when you face so many challenges, but let’s not forget that you are professionals and you need to act as such.
These are only few suggestions and ideas on how to improve renters’ cooperation. You can read more about what other experts are saying in the article found here:
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