Luckily, there are a lot of things property owners can do to retain good tenants. Perhaps the most critical thing you could do is to develop a nice relationship with the tenant by paying them a visit from time to time and checking in on them. Good tenant communication can go a long way toward a happy, satisfied tenant.
This approach works great when paired with a second, equally important method: being proactive when dealing with maintenance and repair. Tenants want to live in a well-maintained home and they want it to stay that way. So they really appreciate it when a landlord not only addresses repair requests quickly but also performs regular maintenance without having to be asked. A property owner who exhibits good property maintenance practices will serve as a model that would encourage their tenants to do their part as well.
Aside from regularly scheduled maintenance, owners can make tenant retention better by involving them in the maintenance of the property. Think about getting feedback from the tenant about how they are liking the rental home and if there is something that needs to be repaired or serviced. There are owners that hesitate to ask such questions. They think that the tenants will ask for extravagant replacement items or unnecessary repairs. But consider what the other option is: if the tenant leaves, you’ll spend a lot more on finding a replacement and preparing the home for a new tenant. That expense would be a lot more than buying that new dishwasher (or carpet, or stove repair) that they requested.
If the time comes that a quality tenant is entertaining the thought of moving, try to get the reason for their decision; then figure out if there is something you could offer them so they would stay. Normally, if a tenant is moving to another rental house in the same vicinity, there’s a specific reason that can be countered or an obstacle that can be overcome. Remember, keeping a quality tenant is a far more profitable strategy than operating a revolving door rental house.
At the end of the day, tenant retention is a talent that can be studied and perfected over time. The good news is that there are helpful professionals at Real Property Management Metro. We understand what is necessary to find and retain renters of good quality in Columbia. We make healthy tenant relationships look easy and can take care of the day-to-day communication for you. Don’t hesitate to contact us online or give us a ring at 443-718-9832 to know how we can help you with your tenant relations.