OfflineWhen renting property it is not a democracy in action. It's a business. You're the CEO and the tenant is more like an employee.It's important to strike the right tone in your relationshp with a tenant. You can't be architrary or dictational. Yet you can't be a wimp either. You have to be in charge. It's your property, and how you handle the tenant will largely determine what happens to it.
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is what I've heard written by several REI authors. If you have anything other than a business relationship with your tenants, or if you "bend your rules" even once, it invites all kinds of things to happen. Not paying on time (if at all), trying to pay with things besides money (let your imagination run here, if you can think of it, it's been offered as rent), trashing your unit or property, etc., etc.
I like Dean's approach because he pre-screens all potential renters, then prequalifies them by telling the applicants what the place is and what he needs from them. Then, having multiple applicants show up at the unit to basically do a walkaround and announce... "You're all qualified, whoever pays in full and signs first, gets it." That's fantastic!
Letting them know all your expectations up front, screening them with your expectations, and thennnn letting them see the rental, pay, and sign. So many landlords barely verify personal info, and do everything else backwards (if at all), it's no wonder they're broke and vacant. They get burned out about REI and then tell newbies like me, "whatever you do, don't ever become a landlord!"
Paul: "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fear's path, and only I will remain."
Duke Leto: "I'll miss the sea, but a person needs new experiences. They jar something deep inside, allowing him to grow. Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken." - "Dune."