One of the best reasons to partner with an Oakland property management company is for our technology and our ability to communicate proactively and responsively with your residents.
Tenant communication can be tough. Some residents will be calling and messaging every day with complaints, questions, or just a need to be in touch. Others will be nearly impossible to get a hold of, even when you’re trying to schedule maintenance or confirm renewal details.
Good tenant communication is an important part of the relationships we establish with our residents. At Marquardt Property Management, our excellent communication leads to on-time rental payments, preventative maintenance, and tenant retention.
Communication is too important to be left to chance. Any relationship benefits from good communication, and the relationship we have with your tenants is no different. When you’re looking for a property management partner, make sure you’re choosing someone who values and prioritizes excellent tenant communication.
Effective communication leads to a better property management experience for everyone. It can also have a direct impact on what you earn and how your property performs.
Here’s what our approach to communication looks like, and why it’s a benefit to work with a management team when you’re renting out an Oakland property.
Technology Drives Oakland Property Management Communication
Our investment in technology helps us communicate better with tenants. Everything is integrated; from accounting software to inspection reports and online portals. This allows us to communicate on your behalf, leaving the entire tenant relationship to us.
We use technology to make ourselves more available to tenants. It’s easy for them to reach us by phone, email, text message, and even via the messaging function through their portal. We know that tenants want us to show up online and even through platforms such as social media. We’re invested in meeting them where they are.
This type of tech-driven communication is creative and innovative, and it shows your tenants that we care about their experience and we’re committed to making things as easy and convenient as possible for them.
Communicating Expectations Leads to Better Results
Our process for communicating with tenants begins before they even move into the property. That’s because good communication during the leasing process will save money and time.
We explain some of the most important parts of the lease agreement to our tenants, allowing them to ask questions and get clarification on anything that might be confusing. We cover essential parts of the lease, including:
- Rent collection policies
- Maintenance reporting procedures
- Rules around guests, smoking, parking, pets, etc.
- Requirements, such as renter’s insurance
Taking the time to talk through these sections of the lease agreement will save us time and money later. Everyone will be on the same page, and there will be fewer opportunities for conflicts and disputes. We want to share our expectations early, and reinforce them often. We’re accessible when tenants have questions, and this leads to a more pleasant rental experience for everyone.
Communication and Maintenance
Effective communication between property managers and tenants regarding maintenance can ensure a safe and comfortable living environment for tenants and a better maintained property for owners. We’ll make sure tenants are aware of preventative maintenance schedules and annual walk-through maintenance checks. We’ll help them understand the difference between an emergency repair and a routine repair, and how those should be reported.
Our well-structured communication system also allows tenants to report any maintenance issues they may have with ease, making it possible for property managers to address it before it escalates. Overall, prompt, clear, and consistent communication from property managers about maintenance will help tenants feel informed, valued, and safe. That’s what we embrace at Marquardt Property Management.
Communication Improves Tenant Retention
One thing we have learned as Oakland property managers is that one of the best ways to chase a good tenant out of your property is by not communicating with them.
Tenants expect and need communication that’s clear, accurate, and responsive. Ignoring tenants will only lead to turnover and vacancy. Whether they’re calling with a maintenance request or a simple question about what kind of air filters they need or where to find light bulbs for the kitchen – we make sure to be available to those tenants.
We see ourselves as a resource for tenants, so we don’t necessarily wait for them to call. Instead, we get ahead of their potential questions by providing information ahead of their move-in. We make sure they know how all the systems and functions in their property work. We tell them how to set up utilities and how often to change air filters.
By keeping in touch with our residents, we’re letting them know that we care about their comfort and their rental experience. That kind of attention inspires them to renew their lease agreement and stay in place.
Communicating with Oakland Property Managers
As an owner, you aren’t expected to communicate with your tenants.
You do want to communicate with your Oakland property management team, however.
Your property manager will take care of all tenant communication for you, and the communication will be handled with expertise and professionalism.
Your main job will be to communicate transparently with your management team. You’ll need to discuss your investment goals, talk about your plans for the property, and listen to the advice you’re given about pricing, upgrades, and maintenance.
We want to keep you informed when you work with us, but we don’t want to saturate you with information. So, we’ll make everything available in your online portal, where you can see rent collection, accounting statements, financial reports, maintenance invoices, inspection reports, and leasing documents.
Communication is easier with professional property management, especially when you partner with a team that values how we communicate with our owners and tenants.
If you have any questions about this or anything pertaining to the effective leasing and management of your Oakland investment property, please contact us at Marquardt Property Management. We provide expert property management in Oakland, the East Bay and in surrounding communities like Hayward, Pittsburg, and Concord.
