Great Tenants for your Rental Property are determined by YOUR attitude! PART 1

What attitude does this person present?

You have a great property and now you need to fill it with a great tenant.  We have talked about how to raise rents, so now we need to get the good tenants in the property that will allow you to do just that,

Good tenants  - those who take care of your property and stay there for some time - are attracted to properties with specific qualities. 

The idea is you need to give off the aura that you will only accept great tenants! You do this by letting potential tenants know that you will not tolerate tenants who disrespect the property, disrespect you by not paying their rent and you will in no uncertain terms, tolerate those who undertake illegal activities.

How do you present this information without being heavy handed and negative?  In a manner that is respectful and professional. The following points, work no matter what neighborhood, no matter what town, no matter what income level or the value of the property or rent they are paying.

What is your attitude?

If you ran a shop and a potential customer was in your store looking at buying a $15,000 item, how would you treat them? Once you figured out that they weren't just tyre kicking, you would treat them very well!

Now, you are a landlord and your tenant is paying you $300 a week rent, over 12 months that's $15,000 dollars. But not only are they paying you money, and paying the mortgage, but they are giving you all the appreciation value for free! 

See where we are heading? It's vitally important that you treat your customer(s) well. The issue seems to be that landlords often see their tenants are annoying and an inconvenience. 

Did you stop and think about how you dress when you meet your tenants and potential tenants? Have you ever turned up in a greasy t-shirt and bare feet? What does that say about you and how you want your property to be treated?

It goes with the attitude, if you are selling $15,000 items, dress like you are selling the house, not selling cow manure.  

Tom Peters a business guru pointed out that airline passengers will judge the quality and maintenance of jet engines on whether they see coffee stains on the trays! Likewise tenants will judge how well maintained your property is by how you present yourself - both in appearance and in attitude. Like begets like. Present yourself well, and it will help you get what you are looking for.

Organisation

People can smell disorganization a mile away. You're meeting a potential tenant - you are 10 minutes late, your car is a mess, and you can't find the paperwork you are looking for. Again what does that say about you and your property?  Conversely, you arrive early, the place is open, your checklists and application forms a neatly laid out on the bench, you efficiently go through the features of the property and what is expected of tenants, and Hey Presto the good tenants will stick around. The bad ones, will go in the front door and out the back door never to be seen again - good!

Confident, professional and organised.

Present yourself as a confident, professional, and organized person and it will make tenants feel confident and know what is expected of them. Present a disheveled chaotic persona and the bad tenants know they can treat your property with the same manner. 

There is a lot to be said for personal attitude. If you don't think you can present yourself as a professional, organized and efficient landlord, consider a property manager - an organized and professional one! They can make the world of difference

Next time we will discuss the 'attitude' of your property.

How do you present yourself to your tenants and future tenants?