If you're feeling mad as a wet hen,
Mad as you can possibly get, then
Pass that peace pipe, bury that tomahawk
Like those Chichamecks, Cherokees,
Chapultepec 's do.
That cold shoulder never solved a single complaint.
When you're older, you'll wipe off all of that war paint.
(Hugh Martin - Pass That Peace Pipe Lyrics | MetroLyrics)
Mad as you can possibly get, then
Pass that peace pipe, bury that tomahawk
Like those Chichamecks, Cherokees,
That cold shoulder never solved a single complaint.
When you're older, you'll wipe off all of that war paint.
(Hugh Martin - Pass That Peace Pipe Lyrics | MetroLyrics)
for she is more profitable than silver and yields better
returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can
compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches
and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
Proverbs 3:13-17 NIV
When I was a younger property manager
starting out in Charlotte, I was all about the letter of the law (or in
this case, the lease). “Follow it, or
else!” “According to section 7.6, you
are in breach of contract! Better get a
lawyer!” “No payment yet? I’m sick of excuses!”
Property management can turn you into an ugly person. It’s really set up in a way that promotes divisiveness. Property managers are in one corner sparring
for the owner’s (their client’s) interests.
The tenant is fighting to protect their interests. Who pays to replace a burned out light
bulb? You do! No!
The thing was already burned out when I moved in! You should pay!
What I’ve found over the years is that being a stickler and
jerk isn’t effective. It’s bad policy,
both professionally and personally.
Through the years (much like King Solomon’s advice above),
I’ve found the wise path is to take actions that promote pleasantness and
peace, whenever possible. It’s more
profitable and much less stressful!
To keep the peace, keep the following in mind:
1. When e-mails start
getting negative, stem the tide and pick up the phone. The game of “who is smarter/snarkier” in
e-mails with your tenant is a game of LOSERS played by LOSERS. If you must, save your “clever writing” for a
novel (or your property management blog).
2. “Seek first to
understand, then to be understood.” (Stephen Covey). We argue about problems. Problems need solutions. Listening to the tenant’s needs and thoughts
provides more information to formulate peaceable solutions with. Enough said.
3. Real professionals
come up with compromises that can work for both parties. This is where property management becomes
art, as opposed to robotic, Draconian ruthlessness. No one said property management has to be a
zero sum game where one party loses and the other wins. He who lives by the
sword, dies by the sword.
So, bury the hatchet and try to work issues out nicely. Pass the peace pipe with your tenant and
enjoy the rewards!
Brett Furniss is the head property manager of BDF Realty (Charlotte Residential
Property Management), the trusted real estate advisor for Charlotte
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