1. Lay out a clear tenancy agreement
A clear and fair tenancy agreement is a must, conflicts are likely to occur when the responsibilities of the tenants and landlord are not clear.
For example, if it's not completely clear in the tenancy agreement which party is responsible for which utility bills, you could run into conflict at the end of the tenancy about an unpaid bill. Disagreements like this can cost time and money – especially if they turn into legal action. Having a transparent tenancy agreement that you can refer to in the case of any confusion will help prevent issues from escalating.
2. Be approachable and available
Tenants are likely to have questions for you, particularly at the start of a tenancy. It's worth starting off on the right foot, by making sure that your tenants are aware they are welcome to contact you. Tenants should be able to reach you easily by email or phone; but, where possible, it can also be beneficial to meet with tenants in person. Face-to-face meetings or video calls can help to establish a great professional relationship.
3. Inspect properties regularly
Inspecting properties regularly will enable you to keep on top of everything and stay in the loop with any issues that may need to be addressed. You must give tenants at least 24 hours' notice and have reasonable justification for the visit. However, where possible, it's recommended to give a more extended notice period before a visit and to negotiate a time which will work for you and them. Make sure tenants are aware from the start that the aim of your visits is to make sure that the property is fit and suitable for them. Remember, it's important to leave your tenants to enjoy the property without constantly checking in, try to find a balance that works for both you and your tenants.
4. Manage repairs and maintenance responsibly
Landlords are not responsible for repair work until they know about it, so it's up to the tenant to tell you about any repairs that are needed. It's recommended that you detail ‘reporting repairs’ as a condition of the tenancy agreement, meaning tenants must report any problems to you even if they seem quite small or if the tenant is not too concerned about getting them fixed. It's also worth agreeing with the tenant that they should report issues straight away for faults that could damage health, for example faulty electrical wiring.
5. Ask for feedback
Feedback from tenants can prove invaluable when it comes to making improvements. Whether it's related to how you communicate, the property itself or the tenancy agreement, taking comments onboard and making relevant adjustments can lead to happier tenants, potentially minimising void periods and therefore saving you money.
6. See things from the tenant's point of view
Being a landlord means you do have to make important financial decisions to ensure the investment makes sense and works for you. However, it's important to see things from a tenant's point of view, as the property is their home. If your tenants have requests or want to do something you're not too keen on, try to see it from their perspective and give it some thought before shutting the idea down.
7. Stay up to date with all legal requirements
Safety requirements are always going to be subject to change and it's so important to keep on top of the latest changes to legislation. The government website is a great starting point as well as our very own Help Centre, built specifically for landlords. Expert support and guidance can be found on there, covering topics including smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations, landlord responsibilities and Energy Performance Certificates.