So, you don’t get along well with your tenant. Well, that is actually not big news. Most landlords have or will encounter situations in which they do not get along well with their tenants. The question is: while some tenants are really terrible and unreasonable, is there still a way to mend your relationship with them – or when nothing else works, to take a firmer stand so that things can work out better?
In this blog post, we present to you the important tips on what to do if you don’t get along well with your tenant.
1) Be Objective And Ask Yourself
As a landlord, ask yourself, “Have I done my part as a landlord and treat my tenant as he/she deserves?” and “Have my actions given him the wrong signal?”
For example, when your tenant is late on payment for the first time, did you take immediate actions to rectify the situation, or did you just let it happen without initiating any action? (To see what you can do when your tenant pays his rental late, read our previous blog post on “What to do if your tenant keeps paying his rent late?”)
The tenant-landlord relationship is in fact, just like any other relationships – your actions to them reflect how you expect to be treated. Start by examining your relationship with your tenant, and see if anything from your part has caused the sour relationship.
2) Record Everything In Written Form
This might sound like a lot of work, but when everything is recorded in black and white, the chances of having unnecessary conflicts with your tenants can be greatly reduced. With the prevalence of high-resolution cameras, your written records can also be accompanied by photos or even videos (photos of your property before your tenant moves in, for example).
3) Communicate Openly
When you don’t get along well with your tenants, it’s easy to want to avoid talking to them, but this may actually be an obstacle in having a good landlord-tenant relationship in the long run. Respond to your tenants promptly when they look for you. Remember, open communication is the key. So, be sure to reach out to them to communicate openly, or be available when they wish to have a conversation.
All landlords wish to have the best tenants they can. But sometimes when things go sour, it’s wise to try different approaches to mend the situation. If everything else doesn’t work out, and the tenant is causing major trouble, asking them to leave can be the last resort.
If you’re not sure when you should go for the last resort, check out our previous blog post on “When is the right time to let your tenant go?”
Cheers!
