Too many landlords think of their tenants as adversaries. The residents you place in your property are actually your customers. They’re paying rent and they’re helping you take care of your home. Keeping them happy is important, especially since tenant retention is a great way to earn more on your rental property.

We work with owners and tenants in Matthews and throughout the Charlotte market. Today, we’re sharing seven easy ways to keep those tenants happy.

Provide a Welcome Gift at Move-In

Who doesn’t love a little present?

Give your tenants a gift when they move in. This will welcome them to their new home and to their relationship with you. It sets a nice tone. The gift doesn’t have to be elaborate; a pretty candle or some flowers or a basket with gourmet foods and little luxuries will go a long way.

Be Clear about Expectations and Responsibilities

At the beginning of the lease period, talk to your tenants about what you expect. Review the lease together and ask if they have any questions. Your residents need to know how they should pay rent and what they’re responsible for in terms of maintenance and landscaping. All that information is hopefully in the lease, but if you talk about it, you can reinforce those things and demonstrate your willingness to communicate.

Thank Them for Paying Rent on Time

It might seem silly to thank your tenants for doing what you expect them to do every month. But, you’d be surprised to know how many tenants actually pay rent late or make things difficult when landlords try to collect rent. Send a brief text that thanks your tenants for the rental payment every time you receive it. This lets them know it’s been paid and it shows them you’re a generally kind and grateful person. Tenants appreciate that.

Respond Promptly to Maintenance

Responding to repair needs with a sense of urgency keeps tenants happy. It also protects the condition of your property. Don’t make promises that you have no intention of keeping. If you say you’re going to fix something, fix it. You’ll want to make sure you use licensed, insured vendors who will communicate well with your tenants. Check in with them to make sure the work was done properly and don’t try to avoid making repairs. It makes you look like you don’t care about their needs or the property that you own.

This is easy for us because we have a sister company that provides maintenance quickly and affordably. Ace Handyman Services ensures your tenants are never waiting for repairs or frustrated with low quality work.

Check In from Time to Time

Tenants shouldn’t only hear from you when the rent is late. Give them a call or send them a message from time to time and ask if there’s anything they need. Make sure they’re okay after a dramatic weather event and share local information or tips that they might find helpful. These things will go a long way towards delivering a positive rental experience.

Respect Their Privacy and Space

You don’t want to be that landlord who shows up every month asking to take a look around.

Your tenants want to be left alone to enjoy the privacy and quiet of their home. While conducting an inspection during the course of the tenancy is reasonable, schedule it well in advance. Don’t be a pest.

Be Reasonable with Rental Increases

When you have a tenant who is performing well and paying rent and taking care of the home, you want to keep that tenant. Most tenants expect a modest increase when the lease renews, but don’t go crazy. Raising the rent 10 or 15 percent is a good way to turn a happy tenant into an unhappy tenant.

These are just seven of the ways we manage our tenant relationships and keep our residents happy. If you’d like some help managing your Charlotte area rental property, please contact us at Wess Cason Realty. We can answer all your questions about property management in Matthews, Charlotte, and the surrounding counties of Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, and Gastonia.