Landlord- Tenant Relationships: Here Are 6 Tips

26th May 2023

Being a landlord is difficult, but focusing on building relationships with your tenants is critical and might save you both money and time, so here are 8 recommendations to have a successful landlord- tenant relationship, ranging from staying up to date on the newest regulatory developments to having a clear and fair leasing agreement.

1. Create a detailed tenancy agreement.

To have a successful landlord- tenant relationship a clear and equitable lease agreement is required; problems are probable when the renters’ and landlord’s responsibilities are unclear. For example, if it is unclear in the tenancy agreement which party is liable for certain utility bills, you may have a disagreement at the conclusion of the tenancy over an unpaid bill. Such disagreements can waste both resources and time, particularly if they lead to legal proceedings. Having a clear tenancy agreement that you can turn to in the event of confusion will assist avoid problems from growing.

2. Always remain approachable and accessible.

Tenants will most certainly have questions for you, especially at the beginning of a tenancy. It’s important to get things started correctly by informing your tenants that they are free to reach out to you. Tenants must be able to reach you readily via telephone or email, though it can also be useful to visit with tenants in person if possible. Meetings in person or video conversations can aid in the development of a strong working relationship.

3. Conduct frequent property inspections

Inspecting homes on a frequent basis will allow you to stay on top of things and be aware of any issues that may need to be rectified. You must provide tenants with at least 24 hours’ notice and have a good purpose for the visit. However, it is advised to give a longer notice period before a visit and to arrange a time that works for both you and them. Make it clear to tenants from the start that the purpose of your inspections is to ensure that the property is adequate and appropriate for them. 

4. Responsible repair and maintenance management

Landlords are not liable for maintenance services until they are notified, thus it is the tenant’s responsibility to notify you of any needed repairs. It is recommended that you include ‘reporting repairs’ as a requirement of the leasing agreement, which means tenants must report any problems to you even if they appear minor or the tenant is unconcerned about having them rectified. It is also worth agreeing with the tenant that any flaws that could endanger their health, such as poor electrical wiring, should be reported immediately. 

5. Consider things from the tenant’s perspective.

As a landlord, you must make key financial decisions in order to guarantee that your investment makes sense and is beneficial to you. However, it is critical to consider things from the perspective of the tenant, as the property is their home. If your renters make requests or wish to do anything you don’t agree with, try to understand it from their point of view and give it some thought before dismissing the idea.

6. Maintain compliance with all legal obligations.

Safety rules are always subject to change, so it’s critical to stay up to date on the newest legislative developments. The government website is a good place to start, and Seraph’s News Blog is updated weekly with any new changes in property legislations. Expert advice and support are also available by the team of Seraph that are here to answer all of your questions.

Landlord- tenant relationships can be difficult and if you don’t want to have any kind of relationship with your tenants, that is completely understandable. Seraph property management can manage everything in your residential property and deal with tenant find, maintenance, contracts and compliances. Have a look at our full range of services.

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