Best Practices for Landlords During Coronavirus

Are you looking to improve your COVID-19 safety response?

The current coronavirus outbreak has brought about a new reality for a wide array of industries. All over the world, people are facing new information, financial challenges, and crucial legal questions.

As a rental property owner, you are not exempted from this reality. You need to keep up with the latest developments regarding safety, health, and a changing legal landscape.

Making smart decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t only a matter of preserving your rental income. Your choices will also have direct implications on the wellbeing of your tenants and contractors.

In this article, we are going over the top landlord practices during the novel coronavirus situation. Follow these important guidelines in order to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and protect your tenants.

Enforce a Strict Hygiene Protocol

The number one priority right now is establishing top hygiene standards. This is the primary way you can directly combat the spread of this virus. Minimizing its spread in every rental unit is super important.

Here are some hygiene measures you can take:

• Reconsider any non-essential upkeep and repairs: Postponing any non-essential maintenance to a later date is a smart decision to limit in-person contact.
• Always disinfect and clean surfaces: If you must enter your rental property, disinfect anything that you have touched after entering it. Some frequently touched surfaces include keyboards, light switches, touch screens, remote controls, and countertops.
• Wash your hands: Do this as frequently as possible. Also, be sure to use soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. This is a simple procedure that has been proven to be one of the most effective actions against removing the virus from your hands.
• Use hand sanitizer as a second option: If there is no water or soap at your disposal, then you should use hand sanitizers.

• Wear disposable gloves: Upon entering a new unit or finishing a particular task, discard the used gloves and put on a pair of new ones. Familiarize yourself with the proper donning and doffing instructions.
• Wear a face covering: The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings when it’s difficult to maintain social distancing. Wearing a covering can slow the spread of COVID-19. Keep in mind that these coverings may fail to protect you, but it could keep you from spreading coronavirus to other people.

Following these strict hygiene protocols will help ensure that you and your tenants remain safe from COVID-19.

Revise Your Short-Term and Long-Term Plans

COVID-19 pandemic is a huge challenge for you, as a property owner. We recommend revisiting all your plans and strategies at regular time intervals. Then, you can adapt to the changing circumstances and build long-term financial stability.

Remember that owning rental properties already puts you at a risk of dealing with emergency situations. Potentially disastrous fires, dangerous gas leaks, and uncontrolled flooding scenarios demand emergency plans as well. COVID-19, with its numerous implications, is just another bullet point on that list.

Create a Solid Communication Plan

A major crisis calls for great communication between you and your renters. When it comes to ongoing communication, have a proactive, friendly, and open mindset. Be understanding and empathic across all the points of interaction.

Your tenants are more than likely to be worried about their well-being and safety. This is your chance to let them know about all the various precautions you’ll take to protect them and their loved ones against the novel coronavirus.

Let the residents know that you’ll continue the essential upkeep and repair services. Focus on the fact that you’ll be there for them throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.

Some renters may be worried that emergency responses will be slower than usual during the pandemic. Clearly communicate that your emergency responses will be the same as before. You will give your full attention to any gas leaks, fires, and events of a similar magnitude.

As a final touch, emphasize that you will do your best to return any of your tenants’ messages, phone calls, and emails.

Remain Vigilant about Videos & Articles

There is no question that sharing practical pieces of information about COVID-19 with your tenants is a great approach. However, you should always be critical about the sources that you share.

Whether it’s a podcast, video, or an online article, you should consider if it is reliable and factual.

Here are some warning signs that your source may not be the best:

• The information and provided arguments have no credible sources listed.
• This is the first time you encounter that particular news site or social media account.
• You get a feeling that the information is “too good” or “too bad” to be true.

In any of these cases, refrain from sharing this content with the residents. There are companies and individuals who are profiting from creating and spreading fake news. The subsequent exposure enables these people to gain significant online advertising revenue.

We highly recommend you to share information that comes from reputable sources. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is regularly updated and has the latest guidelines on how to protect yourself and other people in these times.

Consider the Benefits of Hiring a Property Manager

You may find that self-managing is a very difficult job. There are many regular time-consuming and stressful duties to conduct, such as tenant screening, rent collection, rental marketing, and emergency requests.

Now, with the COVID-19 outbreak, there are additional challenges that you must face. The maintenance safety routines along with the current financial implications pose new challenges.

AMR Property Management has been successfully managing properties in Barrie and Simcoe County area for more than 20 years. Our extensive experience and deep knowledge allows us to take the best care of your property investment.

Call us today to learn more about how we can serve your management needs during the current pandemic and thereafter!