Good Perspective, Good Owner & Gardener
I teach classes on how to be a Good Landlord and what is interesting to me is how often people like to share their horror stories but what they don’t realize is that they are part of that relationship. I find that when owners come from a perspective that all tenants are EVIL that their approach will be adversarial and thus you reap what you sow. So I want to address a few of the following G topics.
Good Perspective – not all and in fact 99% of tenants are good. Approach potential tenants with respect, a friendly disposition and the view that they are going to be the best tenant you have ever had.
Good Owner – be good, be responsible. When tenants report a maintenance issue be responsible and fix it. By showing you care for the property, address tenants issues within reason and try to solve a problem together you will create a good relationship and a long term tenant.
Gardener – if you have a nice landscaped property include a gardener with the rent. Tenants and especially those in the profession don’t keep up the property. My approach when I get a landscaper asking for a rent discount if they do the yard is to ask them to give me a bid to do the yard, and if reasonable I will pay them to do it but I don’t discount rent. The response I have ALWAYS gotten is, “then I don’t want to do it” That is fine. I am alwasy positive and my response tends to be – how nice for you…you can now come home after a long day and enjoy your nice yard.
Please check out my website at www.PortolaRentals.com if you are interested in properties in Santa Cruz or have rentals in Santa Cruz, CA.
Be good!
Kathleen Richards
