Tenant Relations During the Pandemic

Chelsea Driscoll • Jun 09, 2020

The Coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on real estate portfolios and smart landlords in San Diego must be able to respond to challenges not seen before. The traditional ways of managing property might not be adequate. Tenant relations are going to be critical during this time. California has put a hold on evictions, and we must wait and see what other changes might be coming. A willingness to be creative is going to help a landlord.

Rent Collection

This is the greatest worry for a landlord in San Diego. There still is no moratorium placed on rent payment but collecting what is owed can be difficult in periods of social distancing.

A good idea is to set up electronic transfers. This allows money to move smoothly from the tenants' bank accounts to those of a landlord. It is done on a timely basis and avoids any social contact.

Cash flow is essential; a property owner must have some money coming in. The security deposit might be used as a substitute for the monthly rent. Other possibilities include asking the tenant to pay for insurance and ordinary expenses such as utilities. The question of deferred payments comes up often and that can be arranged. It is suggested that the tenant sign a guaranty that any rent owned will be repaid over a given period. Landlord and tenant can also agree that once the quarantine is over, the rent will be increased slightly to make up for what was not paid earlier.

Social Distancing Is Important

Face-to-face meetings were once common, but these are not seen as safe currently. A certain level of distance must be kept to prevent infection. Landlords can keep tenants safe by using emails and text messages for contact. Incidentally, text messaging is very efficient, and people ordinarily respond faster to text messages. Emails run the risk of being ignored or sent to a spam folder. Other means of connecting with tenants can include Skype or Zoom.

There still will be times when a tenant and landlord must meet physically. A landlord should get used to wearing a facemask and rubber gloves. If any meeting occurs in the office, hand sanitizers should be close by, and a landlord should spray disinfectant on desktops or counter space.

Empathy Matters

There is a lot of tension and anxiety during these uncertain times. People who are confined to small spaces during quarantine become restless and irritable. Landlords need to be aware that people will get emotional. There is a tendency to be firm during these times, but compassion and understanding of a tenant's situation is good business sense.

People remember how they are treated during a crisis. Landlords want to keep good tenants and by showing some empathy, landlords are more likely to keep their tenants. A few kind words and sensitivity will pay substantial benefits later.

Bringing in the Professionals

This is a time when landlords might consider property management companies in San Diego. These professionals have Coronavirus protocols in place, and they can deal with tenant relations as well as other property matters including maintenance. It is vital to use a very competent property manager in these times. Alta Vista Properties is a property management company in San Diego with a reputation for quality service.

We always concentrate on tenant relations and we maintain a good rapport with our residents. We have Coronavirus protocols in place, and we follow them carefully. All tenants are safe, and any issues that arise are dealt with professionally and with considerable understanding. We care for our tenants and the welfare of our clients.

Please do inquire at any time about our property management services. We can be reached at 858-274-3600 or by email at info@altavistaproperties.net. We look forward to hearing from you and answering your questions.

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