Blog Post

What do you do for your renters when a crisis occurs?

Dustin Edwards • Apr 09, 2020

Key Actions to Help Your Renters in Times of Need

Renters Crisis Management
In any given economy someone is experiencing a crisis. It could be a health crisis, death in the family, loss of a job, severe accident or any number of unfortunate events. When a crisis occurs to an individual, sadly it doesn’t hit the headlines and that person is left to resolve their challenges with those that they are responsible to. If someone encounters a challenge they are often responsible to their employer, family, utility companies and yes their property management company (and the owner of that property).

With the current challenge of COVID-19 impacting a large majority of the US and global markets it brings to the forefront how to approach a crisis with not just one individual but many. Over the years we have dealt with a variety of challenges from those that we manage and we invite you to consider the following core principles to handle today’s scenario.

Open Lines of Communication
For many people, when they encounter a challenge they don’t want to acknowledge the issue. Whether it is fear of the unknown, embarrassment or just not knowing what to say many people default to saying and doing nothing which can cause a small challenge to become a larger one.  

In times where there are larger economic forces impacting someone’s ability to pay we encourage people to send an email or even a letter out to their renters letting them know that you are there to understand their situation. Creating an open dialogue is a powerful step to ensuring you can find a solution that can work for all parties involved. Remember, even in times of larger economic impact not everyone is impacted the same and that means many renters can (and will) still make their payments.

Be Aware of the Laws at Every Level (Federal, State, County, and City)
Like many across the US we have been reading a wide array of articles on how people are handling the situation. Some property managers have been heavy handed threatening eviction, and some have demanded the stimulus check be sent to them. On the other end of the spectrum many tenants have felt that they can now enjoy “free rent” and that it should be mandated that there is “rent abatement”. With either of these extreme viewpoints there are challenges and most of these opinions have been developed from the stress and anxiety associated with meeting financial obligations.

As the property owner (or empowering your property management company) it is important to understand the laws at every level that pertain to a renter’s right as well as a property owner. In fast changing times, like now, it is important to understand how laws have been changed, even when they are temporary.

Take for example in the city of Los Angeles who passed protections related to evictions during these challenging times. Some renters took the moratorium as an opportunity for free rent, yet there are documentation requirements and the law mandate still identifies that “Tenants are still obligated to pay lawfully charged rent.”

Whether you decide to manage your own property or leverage the expertise of a property management company in Long Beach we encourage you to take the approach of creating open lines of communication and building a foundation of knowledge of property ownership rights to help you meet today’s challenge and more. When you would like help managing your rental property in Long Beach we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247. We can also share with you our strategy for managing properties through these turbulent times.


Share this post

By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
By Dustin Edwards 19 Apr, 2024
Communication is key to maintaining good relationships with clients. However, there are several ways to communicate, so we intend to give you the best methods we've explored.
By Dustin Edwards 10 Apr, 2024
If you're thinking about how much different managing condos are from single-family homes, look at these top 5 reasons.
Show More
Share by: