Receiving rent is fundamental to maintaining your rental income and keeping your investment successful. Follow these tips to help prevent problems with receiving rent from your rental properties.
At The Beginning Of The Tenancy
Before signing the tenancy agreement, ensure you inform your tenants of your expectations, and they have a clear understanding of the agreement being entered.
Explain to tenants how rent in advance works
Encourage tenants to pay rent automatically
Outline expectations about how rent issues will be dealt with
Highlight the importance of keeping in touch
Keep current rental records in a spreadsheet (don’t try to put together a rent record at the end of the tenancy)
Keep rent records and related financial information (for example, payment of damages) separate from other records.
During The Tenancy
If rent arrears occur, early intervention is necessary. We conduct checks on rents received each weekday morning at 8:00am to help ensure a constant flow of rents. To achieve efficient rent management ensure you do the following:
Check accounts regularly to make sure rent has been received
Keep a file for all rent records, receipts and letters about rent
Keep up-to-date with the latest market rents
Act professionally if the tenant has breached the tenancy agreement, and avoid harassing them.
What If Your Tenant Stops Paying Rent?
Contact the tenants as soon as you notice rent is overdue. Most tenants will want to organise a way to pay back the rent owed. Remember the tenant may have been unaware of the arrear, or recently had some personal changes and are already working hard to get that rent paid to you.
Before The Tenancy Ends
Give the tenant advanced notice on the following:
Let the tenant know in writing how much rent they owe up to the end date of the tenancy
Discuss any final payment arrangements, to make sure all the rent they owe is paid before they leave
Let the tenant know when rent is up to date so they can get a bond refund
Bottom Line
Proactively preventing problems with rent requires you to be actively involved in the rent process, keeping constant track of all rents received, and be prepared to act immediately if rent arrears occur.
If you're considering Property Management get in touch with us today. Locally owned and managed, we offer residential property management services across the entire Wellington & Hutt Valley region.
We take care of investments, offering peace of mind and a personal service to investors and tenants alike. Our solutions are backed by industry-leading technology and proven systems that promote both excellent property care and strong investment returns. Taking on all aspects of the landlord’s role, we guide our clients with professional, tailored advice using our extensive experience and insight in the rental market that can only be built over time.
If you would like to chat about the possibility of working together, or to receive a no-obligation, FREE Rental Appraisal get in touch with our team today.
Quinovic Johnsonville | Wellington
Call Jordan Atkinson - 027 297 0873
Quinovic Hutt Valley | Wellington
Call Helen Vance - 027 487 8103
Quinovic Kent Terrace | Wellington
Call Jordan Atkinson - 027 297 0873
Quinovic Wellington Property Management
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