Better landlords can attract better tenants who are more likely to stay in a property for longer and look after it while they are there. It can take between 20 and 40 hours to find a new tenant when you add up the time and money spent on advertising, showing the apartment, reviewing applications, taking up references, inventories, check-ins and drawing up contracts. That’s why getting and keeping a good tenant pays dividends. Here are seven tips for becoming a better landlord.

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Organise a welcome pack

Put together a welcome pack with information about the area, nearest shops and supermarkets, public transport, restaurants, bars and any other information that would be useful to a newcomer to the town. Once you have done this, you’ll only need to update it for each new tenant. You can also add useful information, such as the refuse collection days, nearest recycling banks and how to shut off the water supply.

Leave a few essential supplies

Your tenants will also be impressed if you make sure they have a few essentials when they move in. You could leave a roll of toilet paper, all-purpose cleaner, kitchen towels and washing-up liquid, for example. This means they will have enough to get by while they concentrate on moving in and unpacking.

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Show them how everything works

Take time to demonstrate how the central heating, hot water, kitchen appliances and locks work when they move in.

Give out your contact details

Give tenants your business card with details of your mobile number and email address so they can contact you. Emails are best because then you’ll have a written record of all communications in case of a dispute or misunderstanding.

Make an inventory

You’ll need an accurate record of the property and what is in it, plus the condition of each item, and you should give a copy to the tenant. You can outsource the paperwork to a company dealing with property management in Dublin such as http://clients1st.ie/.

Follow the guidelines

Always follow the recommended guidelines from professional bodies and your local authority. That way, you can make sure you are within your rights if a problem should arise.

Dress the part

Look professional because first impressions count a lot. If you look presentable, tenants will assume that your property will be clean and tidy, too.