Landlord Quick Tip

Tip #152: The Virtual Paper Trail

Good communication with a tenant is important for catching repairs early, keeping tabs on a tenant, and making a profit.

Good documentation is equally important, especially if there is a dispute later down the line.

So why not combine the two and encourage your tenants to email you when they have questions or need repairs?  Email is a nonconfrontational, convenient and relatively stress-free way for tenants to communicate with their landlord.   Tenants are more likely to let you know when things are not going well — and that’s a good thing.

An email system automatically records the dates, times  and actual words exchanged, which creates a virtual paper trail proving how you respond quickly and effectively to tenants’ concerns.

Be careful when it comes to “official” notices, though — those may need to go through snail mail, depending on your lease language or local laws.

See last weeks Landlord Quick Tip.

American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services for landlords related to your rental housing investment, including rental forms, tenant debt collection, tenant background checks, insurance and financing. Find out more at www.joinaaoa.org.