Seven questions to ask your tenant

If you own a rental property, it might be time to touch base with your tenant, particularly if they have been a long term renter in your property. You can either do this yourself, if you self-manage, or through your property manager.

The aim of these is two-fold. Firstly, you want to ensure they’re comfortable and happy with the rental as this will help assist you from ending up with vacancies in the long run. Secondly, it will quickly identify if there are any issues with your investment that have been overlooked and are worth attending to.

Here are the seven questions that Property Observer recommends passing by your tenant. Of course, there are many more that you may also consider asking – if you have suggestions, share them in the comments section below.

1. Are there any maintenance issues or small fixes that have been missed?
   
   Maintenance should be attended to regularly, however sometimes things can be glossed over, or forgotten about. Leaky taps or loose door handles, even the small nitty gritty issues that can be fixed in an afternoon will help keep your property in working order.
   
   
2. Is there anything that would make this property more comfortable for you?
   
   You may not be up for installing a spa bath for your tenant, but they may suggest modest improvements that would make the picture better all round. Remember, much of what they might want is likely to be an improvement on your property and the next tenant is likely to want it as well. Some tenants are also willing to install things themselves, or to pay a little more rent for an inclusion. Think items like flyscreens, air conditioning units, a new coat of paint or even a new dishwasher.
   
   
3. What do you like most/least about the rental?
   
   This will help give you some selling points for future, as well as pros for future tenants, and it will also allow you to address objections as they come up. It may also get you thinking about how to improve your other rental properties and problems to look out for. It may be the location, or the garden, but it should at least get you thinking.
   
   
4. How do you find the neighbourhood?
   
   If there are any issues with the location of the property, it’s worth finding out now. Graffiti on neighbouring properties, or loud parties next door are both items that can be identified by tenants. They might tell you that there is a loud dog making their life difficult. Take steps to fix this, where possible, before it becomes a deal-breaker for the tenant.
   
   
5. Would it make your life easier to have a gardener/other assistance?
   
   Does your property have a pool or a large garden? If so, and particularly if you’re noticing it’s getting unkempt, it may be worth providing the option to your tenant of a weekly stipend for a monthly gardener and handyman to come in and get to the jobs that need doing. Not all tenants will want this, however very few are given the choice.
   
   
6. Would it be easier for you to pay your rent weekly/fortnightly/monthly?
   
   It’s very unusual for a tenant to be given the option to choose the date they pay rent on. However, with different pay arrangements at each workplace, it may make their life a lot easier to pay you on the day they get paid – and may make little difference to you. Giving them this personalised attention isn’t an option for every investor or property manager, however if you can then it’s worthwhile.
   
   
7. Would you be keen to renew your lease? Why/why not?
   
   Finally, the above broad question will quickly have them identifying to you anything that is an issue with the property for them. While it may not be anything you can fix – for instance, they may want to move closer to their child’s school – it can alert you to possible future hesitations from tenants. It may be that they have wanted a pet, and you hadn't allowed this option - perhaps you could reconsider, or see if there's another way to sort out the issue.

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