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6 Tips for Landlords to Stay Safe and Productive During COVID-19

Nathan Miller
3 min read
6 Tips for Landlords to Stay Safe and Productive During COVID-19

The uncertain state of the world today is leaving many of us with questions about how to best proceed with our lives and businesses. Landlords and renters alike are navigating best practices to keep everyone safe, healthy, and happy.

As a landlord, your tenants will largely look to you for information on how regular operations will continue during this highly irregular time. Here are six tips to keep yourself, your tenants, and your business safe.

1. Keep Lines of Communication Open

Proactively communicate with your tenants, and make it clear that you and/or your team are available and open to hearing their questions and concerns during this time. Provide your tenants with all of the important information they need to know about strategies for preventing the spread of COVID-19, common-area maintenance and cleaning, updated rent policies, and any other important property information.

Be prepared to help educate and reassure your tenants so that they can feel safe in their homes. Assure them that every measure is being taken to reduce impact at your property. A little empathy can go a long way.

2. Understand Your Current Rights and Responsibilities

Things are changing almost daily, so it is critical to stay up to date on current laws and regulations that explicitly apply to you and your tenants. Many states have currently placed restrictions on things like eviction policies and charging late fees for rent payments. Legislation will vary from state to state, so be sure to research measures that have been put in place for any location where you own rental properties.

Review CDC and OSHA requirements to ensure a safe and healthy environment for your team and your tenants. It may be worth touching base with your insurance provider to see if there are extra precautions or actions they are recommending at this time. You also have the option to consult with your attorney for further guidance on best practices, what is considered essential, and how to best provide services to your renters in light of the current situation.

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3. Implement Online Property Management Tools Wherever Possible

If you don’t already have property management software, now is a good time to revisit this option. Online property management tools give you the ability to perform business actions remotely, such as collecting rent, advertising and filling vacancies, receiving maintenance requests, and more. These online tools are a great option for landlords and property managers who need to conduct the majority of their business via the internet and allow multiple team members (and tenants) access from anywhere.

Most comprehensive property management software will include all the online tools you may need in one easy-to-manage platform. Not only will this allow you to continue conducting business remotely and securely, but solutions like this can also enhance your landlord-tenant relationship.

Related: 5 Ways to Be a Great Landlord During the Coronavirus Crisis

4. Properly Disinfect (or Close) All Public Areas

Common areas such as pools, clubhouses, community rooms, and fitness centers have likely been temporarily closed. Before reopening such amenities, you will need to thoroughly sanitize the space and should provide an increased level of cleaning for the foreseeable future. Pay special attention to handrails, stairwells, doorknobs, light switches, and other surfaces that are frequently touched.

In addition to the aforementioned, other areas that will typically need frequent disinfection include laundry facilities, picnic tables or benches, and parking facilities. Consider posting your updated cleaning policies in any of these public areas.

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5. Prioritize Maintenance Requests

Do your due diligence to decide which maintenance requests or repairs absolutely can’t wait and which can stand to be on hold for the coming weeks. Accidents still happen and issues will still arise, so work with your tenants to determine what needs to be addressed right away and how issues can be safely handled to keep your renters and staff safe.

Turn to state and local guidelines about what essential services need to be tended to quickly—typically water, heat, and plumbing. Consider the safety of your property, as well; garbage disposals might not be top priority right now, but a leaking pipe could quickly create unsafe and expensive damage.

Create a plan for yourself or your maintenance team to safely enter properties for emergency repairs, and communicate it clearly to your tenants. Respect all social distancing measures and follow all guidelines recommended by the CDC.

6. Get Your Financial Plan in Place

In the face of massive layoffs and economic upset, you’re likely to have a tenant or two who might not be able to pay rent on time. Decide how you will handle late payments and understand how it will impact your investment and your personal finances. Know when it’s time to ask for help from your bank or mortgage company—many lenders are offering payment suspensions or decreases during the pandemic.

Related: Should You Change Your Goals Due to Coronavirus?

These are trying times for all of us, but taking a step back to implement certain protocols will help you stay safe and keep your business running as smoothly as possible. Communicate often with your tenants to find out what they need to feel safe and comfortable, and make sure you have a clear understanding of what you need to protect your business and your investment.

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What steps are you taking to keep your tenants safe?

Let us know in the comments below.

Note By BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.