Long distance landlords - what you need to know

Communicating effectively with tenants when you are a distance landlord can be more difficult, but definitely doable. As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to establish regular communication with your tenants from the start. Work out what works best for you and your tenants, be it phone, email, or text and maintain this type of communication throughout the tenancy. It would also be wise to provide them with multiple contact methods and ask the same from them so you can contact each other at ease in the event of an emergency.

2. Create and maintain a good relationship with tenants

If you aren’t close enough to pop over to the property at a moment’s notice, it’s important that you trust and have a good relationship with your tenants. Creating trust goes hand in hand with good communication, and hopefully will give you peace of mind knowing your property is in good hands.

3. Stay on top of maintenance

It is your responsibility to make sure your properties are safe for tenants and that you respond to any emergencies as quickly as you can. Not being local will mean you can’t physically be there to sort out the issue, so do your research and source reliable, local tradespeople, who you can call on in emergency cases. A handyman, electrician, and plumber are good contacts to have. 

4. Have a clear tenancy agreement

Laying out clear expectations of the tenancy to begin with may help avoid issues further down the line. Make sure you and your tenants are in agreement about who is responsible for what at the start of the tenancy, as well as establishing clear methods of communication.

5. Inspections 

Whether the property is near or far, inspections are a must. This will include an initial schedule of condition report and inspection before the tenant moves in and then another upon them moving out. You will need to document the condition of each room in an inspection report and sign and date it. Again, communication is key, so make sure your tenants are given advance notice of your visit.

6. Keep an eye on the competition 

Local rental markets fluctuate, so regularly checking rental rates in the area and making a note of any significant market trends will be beneficial. If properties in the same bracket as yours are renting for higher or lower values, you may need to adjust your rates or offer additional incentives. It’ll also be worth your time getting to know the area and what attracts tenants. This may be modern appliances, parking, outdoor spaces - staying up to date can help keep your property occupied and sought after.

7. Consider a letting agent

Many long-distance landlords hire a letting agent, who is local to the property, to manage the tenancy. This is a great way to ensure that any issues are dealt with as quickly as possible. Hiring a letting agent may increase your overheads but could be beneficial if you feel you live too far away to manage the property effectively and support your tenants. It may not be suitable for landlords who wish to be more hands-on, but it’s certainly an option to consider.