Not all landlords are good to their tenants, and disgruntled renters are now taking to the web to call them out. A newly launched website is inviting tenants to air their grievances about their landlords and the platform has already attracted over 1,500 reviews.
The Rate The Landlord website was created to name and shame neglectful landlords. While not all reviews are negative, the majority are definitely coming from unhappy tenants who feel they’ve been mistreated or duped.
There are obviously concerns around validating claims made online, but for any landlords worried about making the list, practicing good tenant management is a must. Keeping tenants happy isn’t just about getting a good review, it’s about making the effort to build a harmonious relationship that benefits both parties – take care of your unit, treat your tenant with respect, and the good reviews will come flooding in.
Best practices for good tenant management
On the website, landlords are rated in five different categories:
- Health and Safety
- Respect
- Tenant Privacy
- Repair
- Rental Stability
These should give all landlords a good idea of what tenants care about, and what they need. Making an effort in these areas can help avoid disputes, especially when remaining mindful of the following best practices:
Keep Communicating
Every good relationship is built on communication. Show your tenants you trust and respect them by keeping the lines of communication open. Let them know well in advance when you’ve any repairs or maintenance updates planned, keep them up to date on any changes to your unit or building, and schedule quarterly meetings to assess their needs. If your tenants don’t feel comfortable sharing their concerns with you, they’re more likely to start sharing them online.
Know your responsibilities
Under the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords have a responsibility to keep their properties in good repair so their tenants have a safe and habitable place to live. It sounds like common sense but a quick glance at Rate The Landlord shows that many are skipping even the basics – leaving tenants dealing with pest infestations, broken appliances, and filthy common areas. Show some empathy when dealing with tenants. If you wouldn’t live in those conditions, why should they?
Get a property manager
For many landlords, investing in a rental property is a second career, a side gig, or a retirement dream. They simply don’t have the time, the resources, or the experience to put in the effort needed for good tenant management. If that’s the case, don’t be afraid to outsource the job. A reliable property management company can take the burden off your hands, leaving you free to enjoy your passive income while they handle repairs, disputes, and anything else that arises.
Finding a good property management company
Enlisting professional help is a great idea for landlords who want peace of mind and to enjoy their investment stress-free, but not all property managers are alike. In fact, many of the complaints on Rate The Landlord call out bad property management companies who aren’t up to the task.
In one example, a renter writes: “The absolute worst property management team. We rented a property late last year, and [there have] been nothing but issues since then. Huge issues with neighbors. Police and ambulance constantly called to the property. This company does not background check well enough clearly. Moreover, they are slow to fix issues in the units, if at all. They should be ashamed.”
Landlords should be selective in who they choose to manage their units. Look for a group with an established reputation and history, as well as the necessary expertise to address issues. In many instances, bad property managers are simply making promises they can’t keep – telling their landlords that they have the capacity to look after their unit when they can’t, they’re too understaffed and inexperienced.
Highgate Property Management has been in the business for over 30 years and, in that time, we’ve helped hundreds of landlords across the GTA with all aspects of tenant management. We thoroughly vet tenants to make sure they’re a good fit, as well as conducting comprehensive background checks for your safety. Once we’ve found you a trustworthy tenant, we handle everything they need – promptly addressing any repairs or maintenance and resolving disputes as painlessly as possible.
Get in touch with our team today to see how we can help you make the most of your unit and ensure your tenants are safe, secure, and satisfied!
