Welcome to the Kazi Law Firm! We are a boutique law firm steeped in Texas tradition personifying the warmth and congeniality consistent with southern hospitality. We believe in preserving integrity and professionalism with true Texan charm, staying true to our roots, while providing essential, affordable legal services to all. Located just north of Dallas, Texas in the rapidly growing suburb of Frisco; the Kazi Law Firm concentrates on contracts drafting and review, immigration law, will & estates, real estate law, landlord, tenant, mediation, and general business law needs.
Just as we’ve talked about the characteristics of an ideal tenant, I think it’s equally as important to discuss the qualities to look for in a great landlord. The landlord-tenant relationship is one of mutual trust and respect. If either attribute is lacking, the relationship will be strained for the duration of the lease term. In order to have a successful, working relationship, both parties need to be transparent, courteous, and reasonable in their expectations and interactions. Consider the following traits that take a landlord from mediocre to exceptional:
Availability
If you commit to managing the rental property yourself, you need to be available when needed. There is nothing that gets tenants angrier than not being able to reach their landlord. Being labeled as an unresponsive landlord is a horrible reputation to have and can lead to distrust. Regardless of how great your tenants may be, there will always be issues with the property from time to time. Most of these are small in nature, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. For example, if the dishwasher breaks you need to get it fixed as quickly as possible.
At a minimum, you need to return calls, texts, or emails within 24 hours. Even if you are not able to fix the problem right away, you still need to communicate with your tenants. What may seem like a minor issue to you can be of great importance to them. Every time you ignore a tenant, you increase the chance that they will feel abandoned and this mindset can lead them to treat the property poorly. A neglected tenant may fail to promptly alert you to issues in the home, which may turn into costly problems down the road. By being available to your tenant, you show them respect, which will be valuable to maintaining your relationship for the duration of the lease term.
Respectful
Successful landlords have learned never to let emotions govern business practices. They honor the terms of the lease, including the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment. Firmly rein in a tenant who is violating the rules, but refrain from using a harsh tone or insults. Staying in touch with the tenant throughout the lease term also shows respect for the relationship. The golden rule applies in this relationship – treat your tenants as you would like them to treat you. You would be surprised how far a little respect will take you in a successful landlord-tenant relationship.
Fairness
As a landlord you need to strike a balance between firm and fair. There are times when you may need to loosen up from a hard line stance you have taken. In doing this however, you cannot compromise your core values. If you don’t allow smoking or pets in the property, and they break the rules, there must be consequences for their transgressions.
The minute you overlook a breach in the lease terms, you can be certain that tenants are going to do it again. The most common argument will be that since you allowed the wrongful behavior once they thought the policy had changed. While on the surface you may not think breaking a rule once is a big deal, it can have an impact down the road. Smoking and pets can leave a stench in the property that will reduce the interest as well. Good landlords take time to think about what they want on the lease and what the penalties will be. Once something is on the lease they will enforce it.
Readiness
The best landlords have the ability to sense things early on. They are prepared to handle circumstances quickly and efficiently. Rental properties often create situations that need to be remedied at the drop of a hat. For example, tenants that are a few days late on rent could indicate that their financial situation has changed, they may have lost a job or are facing some other financial hardship. If the late rent payments become a habit, inquire immediately as to why the change in payment history.
As soon as a problem arises, get to the bottom of it. This is not only the case with tenants but also with repair issues associated with the property. A clogged toilet may just be a clogged toilet but also could be a sign of a sewer backup. Good landlords are willing to pay for preventive maintenance to avoid long term issues. They also never put a band-aid on a property that needs fixing. You may be able to get away with this for a few months but eventually, the issue will come up again and chances are with a higher price tag. The sooner you address issues as they occur, the better off you are in the long term.
Preparedness
Some landlords are handy with a toolbelt and have the innate ability to make small repairs around the house. However, being a Mr. or Mrs. Fix-it is not a prerequisite for being a responsive landlord. If you are not handy, you need to have a list of reliable local contractors that are. Over the course of ownership, rental properties will need to be updated with minor repairs or replacements made. Everything from routine maintenance of the HVAC system to an aging hot water heater will require attention periodically. It is prudent to have reliable contractors lined up before a major problem arises. Good landlords are always building their contact list and have a handyman on call in case of an emergency at a rental property.
Every tenant and property investor will have their own opinion on the qualities of a great landlord, but there are some characteristics that simply can’t be disputed. Landlords who exhibit the five qualities listed above stand to separate themselves from the competition, and perhaps even increase their cash flow. Again, it’s not merely a good property that will generate positive cash flow, but also an attentive, efficient landlord. The property manager or landlord himself or herself is directly responsible for the tenants’ experience, and their approach can make the difference in retaining respectful, long term tenants.
I built my law practice on the premise of being a life raft in a sea of sharks. I want to be an advocate for those that have been wronged and are too intimidated to seek help. My firm is here to explore your options, guide you through your legal journey, and give you that safe space to ask questions! There’s no such thing as a stupid question…Only the ones you don’t ask. So, my question to my clients is not “do you have any questions?” But rather “what questions do you have?”
As always, the Kazi Law Firm is standing by to help you in your time of need. Don’t hesitate to contact us today. We specialize in real estate law, landlord-tenant disputes, immigration, and wills & estate planning. Family is at the core of our practice. Just as we treat our family with respect and understanding, we treat yours. Come join the Kazi Law Firm family today!
Why swim alone in shark-infested waters when you don’t need to?
