Blog Post

4 Ways to Improve Tenant Satisfaction

Dustin Edwards • March 28, 2024

Finding the perfect tenant who respects the lease agreement, always pays on time, and doesn’t cause issues is challenging. However, this isn't just a random occurrence, as a happy tenant will often become the perfect tenant.


Today, we’ll explore four ways to improve tenant satisfaction, which will improve your chances of finding the perfect tenant.


Communication

Many landlords have been stereotyped as only caring about collecting rent. This can happen when there isn't clear and open communication with tenants. Developing a healthy communication channel between both parties can ensure satisfaction from the tenant, which can then result in a content tenant. This can increase the probability of a tenant renewing their lease, reducing turnover and vacancy rates.


A great way to maintain good communication with tenants is to provide many viable channels. This can be in the form of phone numbers to call and text, an email address, or a dedicated portal for tenant requests.


Remember that communication is a two-way street, and a good landlord should be proactive. Landlords and property managers should regularly collect feedback from tenants. With this information, you can gain greater insight into the state of your tenants and rental property.


Tenant Rewards

It's not uncommon for high-quality tenants to feel they’re taken for granted. A good tenant generally means they’ve never paid late, kept the rental in excellent condition, and had no complaints towards them. Why not show that you’re paying attention by rewarding these valued tenants? After all, it's your property, and a good tenant will help ensure your investment lasts many years. 


A small gesture can go a long way, such as gift cards to popular restaurants or coffee shops, which are simple ways to
show appreciation. A gesture that most tenants will appreciate will also be to delay or forgo a rent increase. It's been well established that it's more cost-effective to keep a good tenant happy and for the long term than dealing with a vacancy and the process involved with finding another tenant.


Quick Response to Requests

The impact of quick and efficient handling of repair and maintenance requests on tenant satisfaction cannot be overstated. One of the most common reasons tenants are unsatisfied and move out is a lack of prompt response to service requests. Establishing a system to respond and act on a request quickly can significantly improve your tenant satisfaction. Even if the repair may take some time, responding quickly to their concerns shows your tenants they are valued.


There are many ways to streamline a request process to make it easier for the tenant and the landlord, such as online tools and platforms allowing tenants to request directly to the landlord or property manager. 


Privacy

Privacy is crucial to building a good relationship with your tenants and is also a legal obligation. Two aspects of privacy are involved. First, you want your tenant to feel comfortable. Landlords often unintentionally invade tenants' privacy, making them feel like they're walking on eggshells during their stay.


The second is that while you may own the rental, as long as there is an agreement between you and the tenant, you’re not allowed to enter without prior notice. Not only can it be seen as rude and inconsiderate, you may be breaking privacy laws in California. If a landlord wants to enter a tenant's residence, they must provide written notice at least 24 hours before entering the home. 


Preserving a good tenant is oftentimes a better financial decision than trying to maximize rental charging rates. If you have questions on how to better show appreciation to your high value tenant or need help managing your property we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our
Owner Application online.

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Having clear communication with your tenant is essential for maintaining a healthy landlord-tenant relationship. By being transparent in all relevant interactions, landlords can prevent misunderstandings while resolving repairs and disputes efficiently while improving tenant satisfaction. Having good communication with your tenant is beneficial for landlords too. Effective communication also protects your investment property. Remember that while your tenant is living in the property, landlords need to take care of the repairs. Below are the three best things to do during tenant communications. Prompt Responses Addressing tenant concerns quickly is essential for building trust and maintaining a positive relationship. Tenants feel valued when landlords respond quickly, knowing that their needs are being prioritized. Building this trust not only enhances your tenant’s satisfaction it lowers the possibility of conflicts or misunderstandings to arise. This ultimately creates a healthy and successful rental experience for you and your tenant. Some of the most common inquiries will oftentimes include repair requests, among others. As an example; if your tenant reports a leak under their faucet and the repair is delayed, this can be damaging to your landlord-tenant relationship, as well as your property. If left ignored, that leak can result in hundreds of dollars in water damage and a vacancy . Which can further affect our bottom line negatively. For landlords with multiple properties, this can become difficult to keep track of. A property manager can help with scheduling repairs and communicating with your tenant on your behalf. Document Everything Keeping a detailed record of all interactions with your tenant is an important element when managing a property. There are many choices for documentation including email, text, or written notices. Although many property management companies and landlords have opted to use apps or dedicated tenant portals to log communications. A great example, for instance, a tenant may claim they’d reported a repair issue that was never addressed, if everything is to be documented, both you and the tenant would have a copy of the request. Maintaining transparency with tenants. Having thorough documentation ensures agreements and requests between all parties are clearly tracked. Documenting communications with your tenant provides landlords with a foundation for addressing misunderstandings, or disputes if and when they arise. Provide Regular Updates Regular updates show tenants that their landlord is organized and has an attentive approach to managing their property. Giving tenants ample time for maintenance, inspections or policy changes is a simple way to build trust with your tenants while showing your professionalism. Giving tenants advanced notices reassures them that you’re aware of how changes can affect them and you understand that time might be needed in order to adjust. Surprises are best kept for birthday parties. Proactively notifying tenants of changes helps clear the communication channels and minimizes disruptions which helps tenants feel valued and satisfied. These small yet consistent efforts can contribute to a positive tenant stay, which can encourage lease renewals and long-term tenancy. Additionally, having a good relationship with your tenants can give you a great reputation which can provide you with leads when looking to fill a vacancy . It cannot be understated the importance of communication for a healthy landlord-tenant relationship. Even if your tenant may not agree with some of the decisions a landlord needs to make, by giving your tenants ample time to process the change tenants generally are more accepting of said change. If you’re having trouble communicating with your tenants or if you need help managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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