Experienced landlords know just how hard it is to find good and reliable tenants for their houses for rent. So once good tenants have been found its important for landlords to retain their tenants for as long as possible. A few simple steps can really help to make tenants want to stay in the house for rent for longer.
The first thing to consider is why tenants leave. Some tenants will be forced to leave through a change of job or lifestyle and there is little that the professional landlord can do about this. However many tenants will leave simply because they are tired of problems in their existing house and think that there are better houses for rent available for a similar price.
Look After Your Tenant
Landlords who want to keep their tenants should look after them properly. Tenants should feel that the you care about their welfare and this alone can often prevent tenants looking at other houses for rent.
If the tenant raises a problem with the house for rent such as a shower that has stopped working or a blocked drain then you should respond by phone immediately to let them know that you are aware of the problem and to explain what you are doing about it. You should always take action on the same day, even if the tradesperson might not be available until the following day. Make the tenant feel that you a dealing with the problem as quickly as possible.
Consider Rent Increases Carefully
If you have a good relationship with your tenant and they generally pay the rent on time and keep the property in good condition, then consider any rent increases very carefully. An increase in rent can often trigger the tenant to immediately start looking at other houses for rent to check how your proposed rent compares to other properties on the market. As part of this price checking the tenant may very well see a house for rent that he prefers to yours.
Just one months void costs can often be substantially higher than the additional rent that you would have collected from your tenant, plus you might not have the good fortune of your next tenant being so reliable. You should consider carefully whether any proposed rent increase can be justified and whether the new rent would seem reasonable to the tenant.
Landlords can put huge effort and expense in to attracting a tenant to their houses for rent, but then lose the tenant soon after by neglecting their needs or aggressively increasing the rent. Landlords that want to retain their tenants should think carefully about how attentive they are to their needs and about about any rent increases.About the Author:
PADZ Ltd was developed to provide better communication between agents, landlords and tenants, PADZ offers comprehensive Property to rent and flats to rent services and works on a global scale.