The demand for rental properties is increasing, which means it’s a great time to be a landlord. It might sound simple to be a landlord — after all, once you’ve found the right people to move in, you’re done, right?
But being a landlord is a lot more work than you might think, and if you’re a landlord, you probably find yourself working very long hours to make sure your renters are happy. It’s important to remember to take time for yourself, especially if you are always working hard to make sure everyone else’s needs are met. Here are a few self-care tips for landlords.
Take a vacation
Set your away message, ask someone to be the maintenance person while you’re gone, and head out for a vacation. After all the hard work you do managing your properties, you deserve it.
This might be the chance you’ve been waiting for to check out some incredible vacation spots, like New York, Paris, or Cancun. You can buy yourself an all-inclusive package and not have to worry about meeting anyone’s needs during your vacation. This vacation will definitely help you forget about your worries and spend some time relaxing.
If you’re more of an outdoorsy person and less of an all-inclusive person, plan a camping trip for yourself. There are some absolutely incredible camping sites around the world. You could stay at the campgrounds in New Zealand and witness breathtaking views. Camp near the villages of the Alps and see what it’s like to be surrounded by gorgeous mountains. You could even just pick a local campground and get away for the weekend, no matter the sights.
Whatever you decide, don’t forget to pack your fishing rod and your fillet knives. These will help you take care of any fish you catch, so you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious meal that you’ve caught and prepared yourself.
Make your job easier
If taking a vacation just isn’t in the cards for you, there are things you can do to make your job easier. First, make sure you’re always running a tenant background check when you consider a new renter. The background check lets you know if your potential tenant has a criminal history or is a sexual or violent offender. Not only that, but it can also let you know if the applicant has ever been evicted or failed to pay rent.
Plus, the credit check helps you determine your future renter’s late payments or potential history of fraud. The background check should always be the first step you take with potential tenants, because it will save you a lot of time and trouble down the road and help ensure you are getting the right people into your units.
Another way to make your job easier is to say no to certain things, like not allowing pets on your property. While this will probably deter some potential tenants, it’s a very smart move for you. Not allowing pets will keep your properties in good condition and make them easier to turn over to the next tenants, since they’re easier to clean. Ultimately, setting restrictions can help simplify things for you and make your entire business run more smoothly.
If you’re a landlord, you work hard and deserve to help yourself out. Take yourself on a vacation and try to implement a few changes to your units in order to make things easier for you. You should never underestimate the value of self-care.
Alex is a professional writer and digital marketing expert.