Do You Plan to Manage Your Property Yourself? Here's How to Do it like a Pro

• Author: Bryan Miller
• Posted: 2023-12-28

Managing a rental property is very challenging, especially when solving conflicts between tenants. For example, if one tenant complains that their neighbor has been chanting religious passages at the top of their voices in the morning, you have to know how to bring peace between them.

Luckily, you can refer to the state laws to know how to solve tenant conflicts. However, it is advisable to seek a professional lawyer's advice before taking action against a tenant. Then, take the measures recommended in the constitution without worrying about losing your tenant because of your action.

Apart from solving conflicts, property managers have so many other responsibilities. However, you don't have to hire an expert to manage your property. Instead, you can handle all management duties like a pro, especially if you take the following measures.

Investigate All Your Prospective Tenants Thoroughly

A dispute with your tenant can cost you a significant amount of time and resources. Therefore, if you want to avoid a costly dispute with an angry or unhappy tenant in the future, investigate all your prospective tenants thoroughly before allowing them to occupy your houses. That will enable you to notice any unruly behavior or any signs of problems in any of your prospective renters. If you notice any problem, it is advisable to ask them to look for a house in another building in the neighborhood.

Have a Proper Plan for Handling Different Issues

When you are managing your property, tenants will be seeking your opinion on different issues. Therefore, it is advisable to have a proper plan for handling every problem renters might raise. That will show tenants that you are following a proper procedure when making your decisions. Besides, referring to your rules will help you develop a quick solution that will immediately calm neighbors arguing about tenancy issues.

Your plan should include the time you will take before responding to tenants' grievances. Besides, it should include the right communication channel, resolving each problem, and the strategy of following up on conflicting parties after helping them solve their conflict.

Treat All Your Tenants Equally

The constitution under the housing act stipulates how every property manager and landlord should treat every tenant. According to the rules, you must treat all renters equally regardless of your personal feelings towards them. Therefore, when any renter reports an issue to you, you should handle it as you previously addressed similar situations. If you don't, the renter might take legal action against you for discrimination.

Act Professionally Every Time

As a manager, you must act all the time professionally. That will ensure that there is always respect between you and your tenants. However, if you respond rudely, emotionally, or threaten your renters, they might stop respecting you. Therefore, if you're handling depressing issues, you must keep your feelings out of property management. Even if you're dealing with hostile and upset clients, speak to them calmly and avoid arguments.

If you realize that your discussion is turning confrontational, allow your tenant enough time to explain their position clearly. Then, evaluate whether the issues the renter is raising are addressed in the agreement they signed. Finally, if they request something against the agreement, advise them on the best approach to take if they want to get the best results of what they require.

Keep Complete and Accurate Records

Another strategy that will enable you to manage your property like a professional is keeping complete and accurate records. That includes payment receipts for all tenants throughout the year. Besides, it is advisable to record all the issues your tenants raise and your solutions for each problem. Keep your documents in two separate files to ensure that you always have written proof even if you lose one of the files.

The documents you keep will help you to address any payment disagreements with your tenants. Besides, it will help you to defend yourself in court if one of the tenants decides to take legal action against you for evicting them. You can prove to the judge that the tenant has been misbehaving when living on your property with your records.

Final Thoughts

Property management does not have to be as challenging as you thought. If you use the tips above, you will manage your rental houses like a pro. As a result, you will gain a good reputation and avoid conflicts, which might take up a lot of your time and resources. Besides, managing your property will save you a substantial amount of money, which you can use to improve the condition of your houses.