Landlord- Tenant Relationships: Here Are 6 Tips

26th May 2023

Being a landlord can be challenging at times, but focusing on building relationships with your tenants/contract holders is critical and might save you both money and time, so here are six recommendations to enjoy a successful landlord-tenant relationship, ranging from staying up-to-date on the newest legislations to having a clear and fair occupation contract/tenancy agreement.

1. Create a detailed Occupation Contract (aka Tenancy Agreement)

To have a successful landlord-tenant relationship a clear and equitable occupation contract is required; problems are probable when the renters’ and landlord’s responsibilities are unclear. For example, if it is unclear in the 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 agreement that you can turn to in the event of confusion will avoid problems from growing.

2. Always remain Approachable and Accessible

Contract Holders (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 (or your managing agent). Tenants must be able to reach their main point of contact via telephone or email, though it can also be useful to visit in person if possible. Meetings in person or via video conversations can aid in the development of stronger tenant-landlord relationships.

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 occupation contract, which means contract holders 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 contract holder that any flaws that could endanger their health, such as poor electrical wiring, should be reported immediately. 

5. Consider things from the Contract Holder’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 contract holder, 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 legislation. Expert advice and support are also available from the team at Seraph who are available 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 also deal with securing tenants, maintenance, contracts, and following the relevant legislation. Have a look at our full range of services and how we can help manage your investment.

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