They say working with people is the hardest job there is. Relationships are not the easiest to build or maintain and one has to watch out for business relationships, in particular. Property management is an industry that comes with many opportunities, but many challenges as well. This issue can come in the form of a landlord’s negligence or an unprofessional property manager, nonetheless, both add unneeded stress on the landlord’s plate.
In today’s post, we will take a look at how to handle a shaky partnership between you and your property manager.
Assess the situation
The first step you can take is to keep an eye open and assess the circumstances before anything else. You need to take time to pinpoint all the possible reasons that contribute to an unproductive collaboration. This can include poor communication, unfulfilled promises, unachievable expectations or plans that are not followed through properly, lack of transparency, etc. You can make a list of your concerns or requests and try your best to present these concerns to your manager. In a professional and serious partnership, they will recognize that you struggle with certain parts of them that are not serving you as they should and try their best to accommodate your needs.
Remember that the goal is to improve and ultimately fix your relationship with your property manager, so stay open to feedback and be willing to compromise, as you need to focus on solving the issue, not to blame somebody.
Communicate efficiently and be proactive
Communication is key so don’t shy away from transmitting your concerns in a clear and respectful manner. People interact easier when the communication is more positive. We suggest you refrain from being confrontational or accusatory, as this can make the other party build a wall of resistance against you, which will not help you resolve the conflict any faster.
We encourage you to be as proactive as you can, by asking your property manager for regular updates, and be quick to respond to their email or calls. A proactive attitude will help you avoid having problems in the first place.
Good communication is an art in itself. Make everybody’s job easier (including yours) and be a person people can have an open and easy collaboration with.
Mediate
We’ve discussed communication in the previous paragraph, but what if that doesn’t work out between you two? An option worth taking into consideration is hiring a go-between who can aid you work through the problems and misunderstandings if you need help resolving your issues. A mediator is a neutral third party who can facilitate communication and find a solution that works for both you and your manager. This is an option that works best if you’ve reached a stalemate in your negotiations.
However, even with this, you need to be patient and persistent as the problem is not going to disappear overnight. Resolving conflicts and tension between landlords and property managers can take time and effort so remember that there will be an adjustment period and you need to be patient.
Seek legal advice
If all else fails, you might be forced to consider legal action, since dealing with a difficult manager that isn’t willing to cooperate whatsoever can be stressful and frustrating. Your property manager needs to fulfill their duties, as it’s their job, so hold them accountable. Keep detailed records of any issues or concerns, including dates, times, and outcomes of conversations or meetings. Also, be sure to consult with a lawyer that specializes in landlord-tenant law beforehand, they can help you understand your rights, and options while guiding you through the legal process.
A lawyer is also helpful in the event you feel the need to terminate the contract with your property manager. Start by reviewing your contract to determine the terms and conditions and get guidance in order to make sure that you are following the proper legal procedures.
Conclusion
Everybody knows that no employer-employee relationship is perfect, and building a positive and productive partnership with your property manager takes time and effort, but it is well worth it in the long run.
A property manager is an asset to your business and helps you with a load of tasks that a landlord wouldn’t be able to handle alone. They are friends, not enemies, and you need to do your best to build a good relationship with them in order to have a flourishing business that keeps on growing.
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