Ways to Show Your Tenants a Bit of Appreciation
Dustin Edwards • April 9, 2021
Appreciation Can Help You Keep Tenants Longer
Far too often we take the good tenants for granted. As property owners we might think “well they aren’t complaining so they must be happy”. While a tenant might not be complaining they might not feel appreciated.
That could lead them to finding a better value locally in Long Beach or the surrounding cities.
To help you keep tenants happier for a longer period of time consider a few of these tips to show your appreciation.
Gift Card to a Night Out or Even a Cup of Coffee
One of the most stressful times in property management is organizing a repair...of any kind. Whether that is a repair of an appliance, a system such plumbing or electrical, it really doesn’t matter as one has to organize time around the tenants schedule and the respective trade(s) that are needed to complete the repair. In many scenarios the challenge can be resolved in a matter of hours but that isn't always the case. Sometimes, no matter how hard you work, you might have to inconvenience your tenant a bit more than a few hours.
Even if your tenant is easy-going we invite you to consider acknowledging the inconvenience of a repair with a small token of appreciation. If it is a small inconvenience, consider sending a $10 gift card to Starbucks. Maybe it was more of a challenge, like a new oven had to be ordered and it took a few days...then you might get them a nice gift card to a restaurant where they can order the food they might have cooked with the oven.
A small gesture can go a long way and keep a tenant renting for longer than they might have even expected because they know they have a landlord that truly cares.
Letter Informing that Rent Won’t Be Increasing
When you are renting a property you generally aren’t looking forward to a letter from your landlord. You know that generally it is a “notice” of some kind and that hasn’t traditionally been a positive experience.
To change the experience of your tenants, consider that you have completed your annual rental analysis
and you found that while you could increase rent marginally you feel it is best to hold off on increasing the rent this year.
Instead of letting time pass, consider sending the tenant a letter that states while rent could go up 2%-4% this year you have deemed them a great tenant and will be maintaining their existing rental rate for the coming year. With a simple letter you are showing that you are rewarding them for being a great tenant and that can lead to a happier tenant for years to come.
Unexpected Property Upgrade to Enjoy
Most people enjoy something new and your tenants are likely the same. To show your tenants a bit of appreciation and even add value to your property consider upgrades that even you would enjoy. Here are a couple of ideas:
- Outdoor Area: Consider contracting for a covered patio area that might even include an integrated outdoor rated fan or even bluetooth enabled speakers to have them enjoying the near year-round great weather.
- Appliance Upgrade: For appliances like a washer/dryer that are truly doing the dirty work consider upgrading them prior to the end of their lease to allow the existing tenants to enjoy the new appliances.
There are many other ways you could provide an unexpected upgrade to your property and you could even align it with what you know your tenants would enjoy the most to help them to see that you truly value them.
When you want to find out more about how we show appreciation to our tenants and how we can help you as a landlord in Long Beach we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or you can even fill out our Owner Application
and we can develop a custom rental analysis for your property (or properties).
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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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