The biggest barriers to owning a successful rental property are vacancy days and tenant turnover. The cost of having your rental vacant can be more than double the property’s rent when you factor in make-ready costs, continued maintenance and utilities, as well as marketing fees. The key to maintaining a low vacancy rate is to attract good long-term tenants and keep them by offering the best customer service. Think of your renters as respected clientele: their continued happiness means consistent income for you. Real Property Management of Southern Connecticut knows that happy tenants ultimately keep your rentals full. That’s why they have developed a comprehensive customer service strategy and their highly trained West Haven property management team is equipped to help you maintain positive tenant relations.
The Golden Rule
This is the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated. Tenants tend to mirror what they see from their landlord. If the landlord is proactive in taking care of maintenance issues, responding quickly when things need attention, and showing that they care for the home, tenants are more likely to do the same. Our property management team knows to follow these basic tenets of quality customer service:
- Treat tenants with respect, dignity, and honesty.
- Respond quickly to the tenant’s requests and concerns.
- Maintain the property and encourage tenants to do the same.
- Address all safety concerns the tenant may have promptly.
Fair Prices Demonstrate Honesty
While the temptation to hike rental prices may be strong from time to time, do not believe that consistent hikes will always help your bottom line. Vacancies are far more expensive than maintaining a fair or even slightly lower-than-market rental price. Doing so will gain the trust of your tenant by demonstrating your honest approach to establishing your rental rates. Everyone likes to be treated fairly and reasonable prices will be a great asset to your rental retention efforts. When you have a tenant that consistently pays the rent on time, keeping them as long as you can will be more profitable for you in the long run.
Quick Response Times Demonstrate Care
A tenant’s patience only lasts so long before they become frustrated with your lack of response to a request. Our West Haven property management team ensures speed when responding to any need by a client. For issues that cannot be resolved quickly, RPM Southern Connecticut will, at minimum, make contact with the tenants and let them know when the concern will be addressed. They will then certainly follow through on that commitment once it has been made.
Proactive Maintenance Demonstrates Pride
Caring for your property and its appearance is referred to as “pride of ownership.” Tenants who acknowledge their landlord’s deep pride of ownership are more likely to treat the rental with the same amount of care. However, it is important to take care of your rental property while saving money on the maintenance. The fact is, no matter how ideal of a tenant you have renting the home, appliances are still going to break and things will need to be repaired or replaced. Proactive attention to maintenance is the most cost-effective approach to issues. And this is best done by performing seasonal maintenance and inspections, making sure the home is up to code and rent-ready before a new tenant moves in.
Our property managers in West Haven, CT, suggests setting aside one-to-two months of rent per year to cover the costs of maintaining a rental property. By partnering with us, you can also receive discounts on services from our network of partners.You can keep tenants happy and do that at lower maintenance costs with the help of RPM Southern Connecticut.
Addressing Safety and Privacy Concerns Demonstrate Respect
Although you retain ownership of the unit, renters have a legal right to privacy. Beyond the legal requirements, there are additional ways to respect the privacy of your renters that they will very much appreciate. Our West Haven property management team offers tenants plenty of advanced warning any time you need access to their units. Giving specific dates and limited time frames of when you will visit the unit allows them to plan. As a landlord, try limiting your overall access to the unit if possible. However, it is equally important to ensure that the property continues to be a safe place to live. That means re-keying all exterior doors before new tenants occupy the rental. Repair or replace any damaged windows and screens as needed as well as install or replace fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. By doing so, you are showing your tenant that you care about their safety and well-being.
Hiring our West Haven Property Management Demonstrates Wisdom
Enlisting the help of our professional property managers in West Haven, CT, is not only an incredible investment in the success of your rental, but it demonstrates that you are a prudent landlord. We can help you review your market rent assessment and determine an appropriate rent amount. Once the rental property is deemed “rent ready” and up-to-date on needed maintenance, we will begin aggressively marketing your property to get the unit filled by the best possible tenant in the least amount of time.
RPM Southern Connecticut is committed to prioritizing positive client relations. Not only are happy tenants long-term customers, but they are also great advertisements as they tell their friends of your great service, posting positive feedback online, which in turn produces additional advertising. Ultimately, keeping the customer happy will ensure long-term tenant retention, which will always show up positively in your bottom line. With over 25 years of experience, RPM continues to work hard to constantly provide the highest quality customer service to both our clients and their tenants. You can rest easy knowing that you have the support you need to be an excellent landlord. Call us today and see how we can best serve you!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
