YOUR PROPERTY MANAGER AND YOU - WHEN NOISE IS A PROBLEM

When you think of the most important relationships in life, the one you have with your property manager may not immediately come to mind. But when you consider that a big chunk of your monthly earnings and the enjoyment of your home depend on the relationship, you may come to realize how important fostering rapport can be.

With that in mind, we spoke to some of the best property managers in the country to talk about common tenant issues and how to create a great relationship with your property manager that's beneficial to the both of you.

In the first installment of this ongoing series, we asked about noise complaints.

Noise is one of the most commonly reported tenant issues. When you're sharing walls, ceilings, and floors with other humans who have different lifestyles and priorities, one person's quiet evening at home with friends can easily become a neighbor's infernal pit of hell.

"I think all seasoned property managers have dealt with tenants who can't come to terms over noise issues." says one manager we spoke to. "The worst scenario is when they're both otherwise excellent tenants. One party feels like they're being robbed of their right to the quiet enjoyment of their home; the other feels like they're being attacked for simply going about their day. If they've tried and failed to come to a resolution on their own, I usually invite all parties to an in-person meeting in my office. First and foremost, I review all relevant lease terms with both parties. In some buildings, we have stipulations about the amount of hardwood floor that must be carpeted, for others we have specific quiet hours. I find that after these types of meetings simple changes, such as a tenant agreeing to not wearing shoes in the home or hiring a dog walker if Fido tends to get a little vocal in the late afternoon, can lead to a peaceful resolution. But in order to get to that place, the line of communication with both tenants has to be open."

Another manager we spoke to has had success in taking resolution to the next level — relocating one of the tenants. "If I can move an unhappy tenant to a quieter part of the building, I'm happy to do so even if that means covering moving expenses. I know that a few hundred dollars in moving expenses is nothing compared to the cost of replacing a tenant who's simply looking for a little peace and quiet."

And that's where an open, honest relationship with your property manager comes in. Valuable residents are vital to the success of a property, and most managers will work hard to keep good tenants. As one manager summed up, "I'm always willing to work hard to find a resolution for serious tenant disagreements. Trust me, it's a far easier solution than losing good tenants entirely."

Relationship Advice:
Property managers really do want you to enjoy your home. Speak to them about issues and be open to brainstorming possible solutions. They're there to help.

Want to learn more about how to have a better relationship with your property manager? Check out the next installment in this series, when you need something fixed.