The 3 Most Common Problems Tenants Have

Maintenance and Repairs

Issues involving maintenance and repairs are some of the most frequently reported problems tenants have. This oftentimes falls under three different categories: routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and promptness to repair requests. 

Tenants generally expect repairs to be handled in a professional and timely manner. The longer a repair request is ignored, the more it affects tenant satisfaction. For a tenant, a slow repair shows them a lack of care, as it can reduce their comfort while disrupting their daily lives, depending on the severity of the issue. In some cases, these conditions can be deemed unsafe; over time, this can create the perception that the rental is poorly managed and the landlord only cares about collecting rent. This opinion is one of the biggest motivators for tenants to move out, increasing vacancy rates.

As a landlord, it's in your best interest to be prompt with repair requests. Not only are you satisfying your tenant’s needs, you’re also protecting your investment. Deferred maintenance can not only drive tenants away from your rental, but can also significantly increase the repair costs later down the road. For example, a small kitchen faucet leak, if left ignored, can result in major water damage, which may require a fix to the plumbing as well as replacing countertops and cabinets if the water damage is severe.

Communication

Poor communication with landlords or property managers is another common problem tenants have. Communication needs to be concise and consistent, as poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and frustration for all parties involved. Some examples include tenants not receiving updates on their repair requests, uncertainty involving lease renewals, or being informed about changes to the property rules last minute. This can leave tenants feeling that their complaints and requests are being ignored altogether, which creates a sense of neglect.

In order to avoid this, it's good practice for landlords to establish consistent channels for tenant communication. Whether through an online portal, email, or property management application. Even if it may take some time for the issue to be resolved, it's important to acknowledge the request quickly. Having consistent communication with tenants reduces the sense of frustration and helps foster trust in the landlord-tenant relationship.

Property Conditions

The property conditions can affect the comfort of the tenant; these problems include a variety of issues that can affect day-to-day living. Some examples include the aforementioned delays on repair requests, though it encompasses pest infestations, noise complaints from neighbors, or poor cooling during summer months, and inadequate heating during winter months.

Tenants have an expectation when they agree to rent your property, and when it falls short of these expectations, some tenants will consider alternatives. Pests and poor climate control may be tolerated temporarily, though over time these conditions can reduce your tenant’s satisfaction, which can lead them to decide not to renew their lease. This not only cuts off monthly income, but it requires you to invest in repairing and fixing the unit in preparation for filling the vacancy, which can take months to recover from. Landlords who fail to maintain property conditions can also face damage to their reputation. Negative reviews and word-of-mouth complaints can significantly affect the interest from prospective tenants, creating a higher marketing cost and longer vacancy period. Addressing property conditions consistently, landlords can increase tenant retention while preserving the value of their investment property.

The solution to many of the problems tenants have involves being consistent and communicating properly.  By addressing these issues systematically, landlords can reduce tenant dissatisfaction, minimize turnover rates, and improve their rental property’s performance. If you need help with dissatisfied tenants or if you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online.