Managing/Tracking points of contact w/ Tenant.

[Cody Barrett]

I have read many suggestions in landlording books that it is smart to note every contact point one has with their tenants to help "paint a picture" for a judge if one had to go to court.  I just signed my first tenant and wouldn't mind keeping a log of all the conversations we have going forward.  

Does anyone use specific forms in the file place or a spreadsheet or just good old pen and paper?  I love transparency so I wouldn't mind doing this.  

Thanks for reading! 

[Roy N.]

@Cody Barrett

We do not document every contact with a tenant - unless there is an issue and we have cause to record everything - as it would be overwhelming.  We do record significant interactions (if a tenant has a request or complaint or another tenant complains about them; if the police are called; if there are by-law infractions or infraction of our house rules, etc.).

We also insist tenants submit things like service requests or complaints in writing.