Having proper communication is integral in establishing a good working relationship with the tenants you manage.

There is a fine balance between over-communicating and not communicating enough. Here are some of the do's and don't's of tenant communication.

Do send updates before maintenance and other things taking place in their suite

Communicating about entering a tenant's suite is not only courteous, it's necessary. Whether responding to a maintenance request, inspecting the unit, or providing scheduled upgrades or repairs, it is imperative that you've collected proper consent, and have provided proper notice. While you need to provide at least 24 hours notice before entering a tenant's suite, the more time the better – this will help you maintain a good relationship with tenants, and can potentially allow you to pack multiple duties into a single visit. 

Don't call residents at work

The only reason you should call a resident during working hours is because there was an emergency involving their suite. Any communication outside of an emergency can be sent in an email or text, or can be communicated on evenings and weekends. 

Do be honest and upfront with tenants

You should think of you and your residents as working together to maintain your investment property. Always ensure that your tenants are aware of any issues or repairs being done ahead of time. In turn, your tenants will feel more comfortable being upfront and honest with you as well, meaning you can cut down on surprise expenses and DIY repairs. 

Don't keep communication strictly virtual

With all the technology at our disposal, it sometimes feels difficult to build and maintain a relationship in real life. It's important to have some face-to-face contact, or at the very least an occasional phone call, to make sure your residents know that you care about the property they live in. This leads to a more personal relationship which will help tenants feel more comfortable talking to you and reporting issues they may come across. These solid relationships can also help to generate positive reviews, which will help you find more tenants in the future.

With these few do's and don't's, you can establish a healthy and professional relationship with your tenants. If you want help finding or build strong relationships with existing tenants, check out our property management services.