Answer: Yes! We live
in the United State of America. If
you’re the owner, you are always welcome to visit your properties. This right is usually written into the lease
as well.
This is a very short answer (and makes for a very short
blog)…
For a longer discussion… the question could be whether it is
advantageous for owners to visit their properties if they have a property management
company managing them already.
Let’s look at 3 scenarios of an owner rental home visit. Keep in mind (especially after COVID), at
least one of the tenants will probably be home at some point during the home
inspection:
Scenario #1 (Happy Time):
Owner knocks on the door.
Tenant enthusiastically answers and there is a warm greeting. They tour the home together.
Owner: “My, you keep my home up beautifully! How did you get the cracks so clean between
the countertop and backsplash?
Tenant: “Oh, it was a trick my mother taught me- gently
scrub a paste of baking soda mixed with lemon juice in with a toothbrush.”
Owner: “Splendid!
And thank you for always paying early!”
Tenant: “You’re welcome!
Have you met my 4-year old daughter, Ivory? Honey, come say ‘hi’ to our landlord!”
Owner: “She’s so cute!”
Tenant: “Thank you!
Can I get your number if I have an emergency and can’t get in touch with
the management company? They’re sort of
slow sometimes.”
Owner: “Sure!”
Upside: Owner has firsthand knowledge of the property and a
budding friendship?
Downside: It might be necessary to evict the tenant and her
young daughter. A personal connection
makes this tougher. The tenant now has
an influential third-party to go to when the property manager’s answers are not
to the tenant’s liking (the old “Go to Mom when Dad says ‘no’” trick).
Scenario #2 (Unhappy Time):
Owner knocks on the door- no one answers. Owner keys into the property. Family is eating dinner. Tenant has been late on the rent. The home is really messy and not
maintained. Owner speaks to the
tenant. Tenant had a tough day at work
and complains about repair issues with the house. An unhappy conversation ensues. No one is happy when the owner leaves.
Upside: Owner has firsthand knowledge of the property
Downside: The relationship with the tenant is potentially
complicated. There are negative feelings
on both sides that may lead to sub-optimal choices that erode the relationship
further.
Scenario #3: (Normal Time):
Owner knocks on the door- no one answers. Owner keys in and no one is home. Owner walks through, inspects all the rooms,
and takes a few notes. Owner is
preparing to leave and the tenant arrives home with her daughter from
basketball practice. Owner and tenant
cordially greet each other and then each continue along with what they were
doing. Owner leaves.
Upside: Owner has firsthand knowledge of the property
Downside: None
As a property manager, our goal is to maximize our owner
client’s investment; a large part of that is creating a drama-less relationship
where rent is paid, the home is maintained, and needed repairs are done. We want to create an environment where
tenants want to extend their leases and have no landlord-related reasons on why
they wouldn’t. They are free to enjoy
their rental home and live their lives.
If at some point we need to file for eviction, the decision is based
more on a business case as opposed to any emotion either way.
It's a boringly successful relationship for all parties. Ran correctly, it’s a beautifully benign
operation.
And it is entirely possible that an owner visit would not
affect the tenant relationship at all!
But… going back to whether owner property visits are
actually advantageous, we still don’t recommend them as the safest move
seems to let things be. It doesn’t seem
wise to add any potential disruption of this boring relationship when there is no
tangible upside.
Owners are always welcome to visit their rental properties
for any reason, including curiosity! There
just seems little to be gained and much to be potentially lost. Why take an unnecessary risk?
Happy Landlording!
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