Finding Quality Tenants
Your tenants are your "business". Good tenants will pay on time, take care of the property, and inform you in advance when there is a problem. Problematic tenants can cause damage that will cost you more than a year's rent. So — don't rush.
In your advertisement, write an accurate description of the property. Don't conceal negative information (no lift, noisy street) — otherwise you will attract tenants who discover it and won't stay. Good photographs are a small investment that pays off greatly.
Screening Prospective Tenants
Before handing over the keys, check: employment confirmation and salary (pay slip), reference from a previous landlord (if applicable), identity card. This is not about suspicion — it is reasonable business management. Honest tenants will understand this.
The Lease — Don't Underestimate Its Importance
A good lease is your best protection. A standard template from the internet is usually not suited to your specific property. A good lease includes: rent amount and payment date, mechanism for rental increases on renewal, who is responsible for which repair, restrictions on use (smoking? pets?), termination conditions, deposit and conditions for its return.
It is worth having a lawyer draft or review the contract — at least the first time.
Handover Protocol — Very Important
On the day the tenant moves in, prepare a detailed handover protocol: photograph every room, document the property's condition (scratches, cracks, defects), record utility meter readings, and have both parties sign the protocol. At the end of the tenancy, compare the condition against the protocol — and you will know what was caused by the tenant versus normal wear and tear.
Managing the Landlord-Tenant Relationship
A good relationship with the tenant pays off. A tenant who feels respected and protected will stay longer, report problems in time (before they worsen), and take better care of the property. Respond to enquiries in a reasonable timeframe, fix legitimate problems promptly, and respect the tenant's privacy.