One thing I have always said is that it is impossible to manage your properties effectively from a distance. If you are not prepared to visit your properties on a regular basis to carry out inspections then you had better be prepared to accept the consequences.
Belvoir, a firm which specializes in providing consultancy services for the residential rental sector seems to agree with me on this aspect of property management. In fact they have dubbed regular visits and open lines of communication ‘the golden rule’ of being a successful landlord.
Of course, you must remember to follow all the rules set down to govern such visits to your properties. Tenants quite rightly value their privacy and failing to respect it can only lead to future conflict.
Make sure you give your tenants a decent amount of warning and inform them of not only the date but the approximate time of your visit. This will make the tenant feel less ‘watched’ and more supported.
There is no doubt about it though regular visits will keep your tenants on their toes in terms of keeping your valuable investment in good shape.
This of course means that in the long term these visits will literally save you money.
Remember – No one can possibly blame you for wanting to protect your investment in this way.
