Keeping good communication with tenants .

[Matthew Kern]

Hey everybody,

I own and manage a duplex across the country currently, and one thing I would like to improve upon is better communication with my tenants. Don't get me wrong I have great tenants in both units. There's never any problems or calls from them. Although I would like a system where I can talk with them periodically to make sure that everything's going good or if they have any concerns.

I currently use Cozy for management, and would love if they would add a feature where Landlords can inst-msg tenants asking questions or sending reminders. (Since that isn't a thing yet) 

My next thought would be maybe I could call them every 3-4 months and check up on them, see if they had any concerns and remind them about seasonal things... (such as leave raking or mowing lawn, shoveling snow.. ect..)

I would love to hear people's thoughts and recommendations on this issue and if anyone has any checklist sheets that they go over when calling tenants that would be great.

Thanks.

[Dennis M.]

You will learn tenants usually despise the landlord and want left alone .these people aren’t your buddies !  I see no benefit in trying to communicate other than strictly business such as repairs or payment issues . You should want as little interaction with the tenants as possible . Obviously if there’s a serious concern or water leak you’ll want them to call you . Be friendly , but never be friends . Asking for random concerns is a recipe for people to be a pain in your butt