Evictions and How to Avoid Them

In the property management world, evictions are the end of a long and expensive journey. A journey that has probably ended for the landlord with lost rents, renovation expenses, and a feeling of hopelessness. For the tenant it means possible homelessness and ruined credit and rental references. In the end there are no winners, but only losers on both sides. This circumstance can and should  be avoided by property managers and landlords, and with a little vigilance it mostly can be.

Firstly, as a property manager you have a fiduciary responsibility to attain the best tenants you possibly can. This involves setting strict but reasonable screening guidelines, and then sticking to them even if it involves an extended vacancy. Good tenants shop for the best value in housing. If your rental is not renting the issue probably resides in the price or condition of the property. Do not lower your guidelines to get a property rented. This course of action will lead to your financial ruin. Good tenants pay rent on time, take good care of the property, and spend a little time cultivating a working business relationship with their landlord or management company.

Secondly, once you have approved your applicant your job is not over. As with most customers, your tenants need your interest in their continued purchase. Tenants want to see if you truly care about the condition and maintenance of the property. When they call with a maintenance request try to take care of the issue within 24hrs. This is the support after the sale that every customer/tenant needs. This requires your effort, but the reward, in our experience, is well worth it. Tenants will see that you are serious about maintaining the condition of the property and will generally follow suit.

Lastly, do not let your tenants fall behind in the rent. This is the biggest mistake landlords make. When a tenant falls behind in the rent for an extended period of time generally they have lost a source of revenue, and their condition is not going to change any time soon. Do not be Mr. Niceguy and allow them to stay in the property and accrue delinquent rent and late payments. The tenant only ends up putting off what they need to do and digs themselves into a deeper hole they cannot dig out of. The only recourse at that point is resorting to the law. Early on in the process if the property manager takes action the tenants still have options available to them. Eviction is generally an indication that the landlord/manager was not being diligent in their work and let the situation get out of hand.

Although we perform eviction services, to date Empire Property Management LLC has not had to evict even one of our own tenants. If you, or anyone you know, need help resolving a tenant related issue we would be glad to help.

Empire Property Management, LLC
541-913-8451
541-935-0346

Ideas for Getting (And Keeping) Good Tenants, Part Two

Do you remember the last time you moved? Packing all your things, changing your utility companies, finding friends who can help you move, unpacking everything, and trying to make your new home feel like home? STRESS!! A nice thought for your new tenants would be a Welcome Basket. It could consist of a gift card to the local pizza parlor, a bag of popcorn, a coupon for a free movie rental, and a bottle of soda. Or maybe they'd like a bag of bath salts, nice body wash, and some gourmet soaps? How about a bottle of champagne and two glasses to celebrate? After screening your tenants you've learned a little about them and can pick the appropriate basket to help them feel welcomed. Another idea to show your tenants you care about them would be to send them a card on their birthday or an anniversary card commemorating when they moved into your rental. You can even include a gift card as a special way of saying thank you. Doing a little something special for your tenants will set you apart from other landlords and help your tenants appreciate you and their home.

Ideas For Getting (And Keeping) Good Tenants, Part One

Good tenants are a commodity worth investing in. Not only are they hard to find but once you find them you need to give them good reason to stay in your unit. As a rental owner it is...a good idea to not charge too high of rent. If you keep your rents just slightly below market value it helps your tenants WANT to rent your unit and take an active interest in pleasing you as the property owner, thus retaining your interest in them. Lower the rent $25 a month and for $300 a year you're almost guaranteed full occupancy and tenants that care. That's a third a months rent for most rentals. When you have a vacancy it commonly lasts two weeks to a month. Taking into account advertising and cleaning expenses (just to name a few of the expenses you may encounter) the slight reduction in monthly revenue can feel more like money in your pocket.

How To Help Your Rental Make A Good First Impression

When renting your home, first impressions are very important. Approach your home as a prospective tenant would. How does the yard look? Are there flowers to make their home attractive? When entering the home how does it smell? A little...bleach or Pine Sol can go a long way! It's essential to have the home clean before showing it. Most prospective tenants have a hard time seeing past the dirt no matter how many times you reassure them that the home will be clean before they rent it. Another important touch is to have all the lights on in the home. No one wants a dark and dreary home. Show your prospective tenants how bright and cheerful your home looks and they will be sure to want to make it their own

Rental owners, don't underestimate the importance of checking the references your applicants provide to you, especially their previous landlords (and make sure they do provide this info, including their phone number). The previous landlord(not current landlord) can be a wealth of knowledge and insight into your applicants living habits and the way they will eventually deal with you as their landlord. As a previous landlord they will not have the goal of getting the tenant to move out of their home if they happen to be a bad tenant, so they tend to be more open and honest with you. Take advantage of their openness and just listen.