So you’re renting a home? That’s great!
In the world of housing, there can be a few new things to navigate, especially if this is your first rental experience. That’s why it’s so important to connect with your property manager! Having a good relationship with the people who oversee your rental property can make rental life a breeze. Here are some ways to build that positive rapport!
Pay Your Rent On Time
A really easy way to start building that great relationship with your property manager? Pay your rent early if possible, but don’t pay late! Pay close attention to your lease; typically property managers and landlords are understanding that sometimes things happen and the end of the month sneaks up on you, so oftentimes you may have a couple of days to get rent paid if something happens…but you don’t want to make a habit of this and lose any trust you may have with your property manager. Paying your rent late can actually be super damaging for you, so the best way to avoid a negative fall out is just to get it paid on time!
Maintain Professional, Polite, and Open Communication
Communication can be one of the biggest roadblocks to any relationship, and that goes double for the one with your property management company. Misunderstandings can happen. Words can be misconstrued, especially when communication takes place via text or email. That’s why it is so, so important for both sides to maintain an open line of communication that is professional and polite and to approach all matters with kindness and understanding first and foremost. As frustrating as it can be, it’s not actually your property manager’s fault that the heating element in your oven burned out three days before Christmas; sometimes things break. And, believe it or not, they probably DO try to get someone out to fix maintenance concerns as quickly as they can; sometimes the repair vendors have a busy schedule themselves and have to be booked weeks out!
Understand and Keep Up With Your Personal Responsibilities
Another way to build trust with your property manager is by keeping up with your own responsibilities. When renting a home, be sure to read your lease thoroughly; there should be detailed information about what falls under the tenant’s responsibility. Some things to consider:
- Do you need to care for the yard, or is there a landscaper who does that?
- Are you responsible for minor repairs, or should any repair be reported and managed by the company’s chosen vendor?
- What kind of costs are you responsible for?
- Are you required to have renter’s insurance?
These are all important questions to know the answers to in advance!
Know What Your Property Manager Is Responsible For
On the flip side, it’s also important to know and understand what your property manager is responsible for in your rental…and what they are not. The first step to that may be in knowing and understanding the difference between a property manager and a landlord–because the two are not the same! Recognizing that there are some things that your property manager can do and some that they can’t is very important; they act as the mediator between you and the property owner, so they really just do their best to ensure the happiness of both parties!
Respect Your Rental Property And Neighbors
Finally, another essential way to keep a great relationship with your property manager comes in how you treat the rental itself as well as your neighbors. As you are renting someone else’s property, you want to be sure to respect the space and care for it even better than you might if it was your own space. Being attentive to the needs of your rental and alerting your property manager of potential large problems (when appropriate) can help to show that level of dedication and caring that helps to build trust between you, your property manager, and your landlord.
The other component of this, of course, comes down to showing respect and kindness to your neighbors. Whether in an apartment or townhome set up that the property manager fully oversees or the neighbors in the house next door own their home or rent elsewhere, it is critical that you try to foster positive interactions with your neighbors. No property manager wants to be hounded with calls of neighborhood disputes, so by keeping the peace you can save yourself and your property manager a ton of grief!
The Benefits of Having a Good Relationship With Your Property Manager
There are so many benefits that come from having a positive connection with your property manager, and you want to be sure you have them! For example, if you are kind, patient, respectful, and attentive, your property manager will probably be more willing to be flexible when they can regarding scheduling maintenance or if you have to get your rent check in a day late. It also makes them more willing to renew your lease and negotiate the price so that your rent costs don’t elevate beyond your budget.
If you are looking for a quality property management company, or a great rental property in the Treasure Valley, look no further than DJW Property Management. Contact us today!
