Relationship with your tenants
Landlord-tenant relationships are often a finely balanced affair and it sometimes takes careful handling and good people skills to keep things running smoothly
Some landlords like to develop close relationships with their tenants, even seeing them as friendships. But too much familiarity can create problems when it comes to having to issue warnings or when rent increases become due.
Tenant harassment is in fact a criminal offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. Landlords need to be careful about getting into a situation where they could be accused of harassment.It’s a good idea to retain some professional distance by keeping the landlord-tenant relationship on a purely business footing, but treating tenants in a friendly way and giving them the respect and care they are entitled to.
Make sure you tell your tenants that you will be doing regular landlord inspections at the start of the tenancy and that they will receive a landlord inspection notice. Give them plenty of notice in writing when an inspection is due so they have time to tidy up and make work arrangements if they want to be present. Try to be accommodating with the timing of visits.
It’s a common law principle implied in every tenancy that tenants are entitled to what’s termed “quiet enjoyment” which in practice means giving them the space to enjoy the property as their own and not interfering with their lives or in any way harassing them.
Landlord-tenant relationships are often a finely balanced affair and it sometimes takes careful handling and good people skills to keep things running smoothly. That’s why some landlords prefer to bring in a neutral third party on inspections – a professional letting agent or inventory clerk – to keep the relationship independent and at arm’s length.
Some landlords like to provide a regular cleaning service, absorbing the cost in the rent. This can be a great way to maintain the property in a good state internally, it keeps the tenants “on their toes” without appearing too intrusive and in most cases tenants love the service.
With a trusted cleaner or cleaning service company, landlords can be more relaxed about the need for regular inspections as the cleaner will be instructed to report any breakages, repair issues or abuse of the rental property.
A combination of regular inspections, maintenance and forging clear channels of communication with your tenants will all be conducive to having a good relationship with them.
