What do you do for your renters when a crisis occurs?
Dustin Edwards • April 9, 2020
Key Actions to Help Your Renters in Times of Need
In any given economy someone is experiencing a crisis. It could be a health crisis, death in the family, loss of a job, severe accident or any number of unfortunate events. When a crisis occurs to an individual, sadly it doesn’t hit the headlines and that person is left to resolve their challenges with those that they are responsible to. If someone encounters a challenge they are often responsible to their employer, family, utility companies and yes their property management company (and the owner of that property).
With the current challenge of COVID-19 impacting a large majority of the US and global markets it brings to the forefront how to approach a crisis with not just one individual but many. Over the years we have dealt with a variety of challenges from those that we manage and we invite you to consider the following core principles to handle today’s scenario.
Open Lines of Communication
For many people, when they encounter a challenge they don’t want to acknowledge the issue. Whether it is fear of the unknown, embarrassment or just not knowing what to say many people default to saying and doing nothing which can cause a small challenge to become a larger one.
In times where there are larger economic forces impacting someone’s ability to pay we encourage people to send an email or even a letter out to their renters letting them know that you are there to understand their situation. Creating an open dialogue is a powerful step to ensuring you can find a solution that can work for all parties involved. Remember, even in times of larger economic impact not everyone is impacted the same and that means many renters can (and will) still make their payments.
Be Aware of the Laws at Every Level (Federal, State, County, and City)
Like many across the US we have been reading a wide array of articles on how people are handling the situation. Some property managers have been heavy handed threatening eviction, and some have demanded the stimulus check be sent to them. On the other end of the spectrum many tenants have felt that they can now enjoy “free rent” and that it should be mandated that there is “rent abatement”. With either of these extreme viewpoints there are challenges and most of these opinions have been developed from the stress and anxiety associated with meeting financial obligations.
As the property owner (or empowering your property management company) it is important to understand the laws at every level that pertain to a renter’s right as well as a property owner. In fast changing times, like now, it is important to understand how laws have been changed, even when they are temporary.
Take for example in the city of Los Angeles who passed protections related to evictions during these challenging times. Some renters took the moratorium as an opportunity for free rent, yet there are documentation requirements and the law mandate still identifies that “Tenants are still obligated to pay lawfully charged rent.”
Whether you decide to manage your own property or leverage the expertise of a property management company in Long Beach we encourage you to take the approach of creating open lines of communication and building a foundation of knowledge of property ownership rights to help you meet today’s challenge and more. When you would like help managing your rental property in Long Beach
we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247. We can also share with you our strategy for managing properties through these turbulent times.
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Your property’s roof is its first line of defense from the sun, rain, and wind. Which means it will eventually wear out. Many landlords overlook this since a roof is generally designed to last twenty or so years, and they simply forget until the signs begin to show. Below, we’ve compiled a short list of five signs it’s time to replace your roof for when doing property inspections. Tenant Complaints When your roof has become damaged, your tenants will likely be the first to notice. When tenants report water stains on the walls and ceilings, it's a sign that you should inspect your roof. In severe cases, your tenant may notice water dripping from roof leaks. This moisture, if left unchecked, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health concern for your tenants. Some tenants simply move out, assuming the odors or recurring respiratory issues are caused by the rental and not just the roof. This leaves you with a vacancy to manage, and if you’re unable to find the leak during this period, the following tenant may have a negative experience as well. Many landlords have found it beneficial to have property inspections regularly in order to preserve both the property’s value and the tenant’s trust. Roof’s Age Even with the highest quality materials, a roof still has a shelf life. Most roofs in Long Beach, CA, use asphalt shingles, and these generally last around twenty to twenty-five years. Once they've passed this threshold, the faults begin to show themselves. A sagging roof line is a sign that your roof is due to be replaced, as it's a serious concern. It often indicates that moisture has entered the underlying decking and caused some structural damage. From ground level, you may not be able to notice these problems. However, during an inspection of the property, an experienced inspector should be able to notice soft spots or contours on the roof. These forms of damage often get worse over time. Coordinating these inspections and preventative maintenance can be difficult for landlords with an extensive portfolio, which is why many enlist help. Shingle Damage Damaged shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof is deteriorating. If you ever notice cracking, curling, or patches with missing shingles, the roof is no longer providing adequate protection to your property. Although you can buy time with spot repairs, if the entire roof shows signs of damage, it’s likely time to replace the roof. Aside from protecting your property, the roof affects your property’s curb appeal. A patchy and worn-out roof can drive down the rental appeal. Prospective tenants will easily be able to spot the differences between pictures taken in the listing when compared to the property in person. This can not only hurt your chances of filling a vacancy, but it can also hurt your reputation as a landlord. Granules in Gutters After heavy rainfall, it's a good idea to inspect your rain gutters. If you or your property manager notice large amounts of black or gray granules, it means your roof shingles are breaking down. These granules are critical for shedding water off the roof. Once the granules fall off the shingle, the shingle begins to degrade faster under the sun and elements. If you’re not sure how old your roof may be, Loss of granules can be a strong indicator that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Regular gutter cleaning and roof inspections can help catch these problems early before they become expensive repairs . Increase in Utility Bills Your tenants complaining about their utility bills increasing or poor temperature control in the rental may not realize the roof is to blame. A failing roof can result in subpar insulation and ventilation. This can lead to higher heating and cooling bills for your tenant. This can be frustrating for your tenants while putting more strain on the HVAC system. This puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Being aware of the warning signs and being proactive can protect your rental property, maintain tenant satisfaction , and avoid emergency repairs. If you need help inspecting your roof or you need help managing your 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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