By Property Management Systems
PORTLAND, Ore. – Renewal time is right around the corner for many people who own Portland Oregon Rental Properties and this time of year can be filled with anxiety or frustration when some owners find that their tenants don’t want to renew their leases.
Although lease renewal time can sometimes be a frustrating experience, lease renewals can be a simple process if you follow these simple tips.
Portland Oregon Rental Properties Lease Renewal Tips
Tip #1 – Avoid Constant Rent Increases:
In the world of Portland Oregon Rental Properties, most owners know that it’s easier, and more cost-effective, to keep a long-term tenant who respects your rental property than it is to find a new tenant.
Before considering rent increases, take the time to examine the rental market and ask yourself if a rent increase is really worth it because raising the rent may not be worth it for you in the long term, especially if you rent to a new tenant who doesn’t respect your rental property in Portland like your current long term tenant does.
Tip #2 – Don’t Make Promises That You Can’t Keep
One thing that often motivates tenants to search for rental properties in Portland and elsewhere in the United States when it’s time to renew their leases is having a landlord who doesn’t keep their promises.
Anytime you have to make promises regarding maintenance, repairs, or other service issues you should always first verify that you can keep your promises because your tenant won’t hesitate to look elsewhere for a rental property if they feel like they aren’t being respected and served well as your tenant.
Tip #3 – Excessive Noise
Most tenants at Portland Oregon Rental Properties are fickle and have a low tolerance for noise so if one or more of your tenants have a noise complaint regarding another tenant or neighbor nearby you should address the noise complaint promptly or face losing that tenant.
Tip #4 – Unauthorized Entry into The Rental Property
In Portland Oregon, unauthorized entry is never permitted because landlords have to follow the law and notify their tenants, with a 24-hour notice, that they will be entering the rental property to make repairs or show the rental property to another renter.
From Oregonlaws.org:
A landlord or, to the extent provided in this section, a landlord’s agent may enter into the tenant’s dwelling unit or any portion of the premises under the tenant’s exclusive control in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, perform agreed yard maintenance or grounds keeping or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractors. The right of access of the landlord or landlord’s agent is limited as follows:
(a) A landlord or landlord’s agent may enter upon the premises under the tenant’s exclusive control, not including the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant and without notice to the tenant, for the purpose of serving notices required or permitted under this chapter, the rental agreement or any provision of applicable law.
(b) In the case of an emergency, a landlord may enter the dwelling unit or any portion of the premises under a tenant’s exclusive control without consent of the tenant, without notice to the tenant and at any time. Emergency includes but is not limited to a repair problem that, unless remedied immediately, is likely to cause serious damage to the premises. If a landlord makes an emergency entry in the tenant’s absence, the landlord shall give the tenant actual notice within 24 hours after the entry, and the notice shall include the fact of the entry, the date and time of the entry, the nature of the emergency and the names of the persons who entered.
(c) If the tenant requests repairs or maintenance in writing, the landlord or landlord’s agent, without further notice, may enter upon demand, in the tenant’s absence or without the tenant’s consent, for the purpose of making the requested repairs until the repairs are completed. The tenant’s written request may specify allowable times. Otherwise, the entry must be at a reasonable time. The authorization to enter provided by the tenant’s written request expires after seven days unless the repairs are in progress and the landlord or landlord’s agent is making a reasonable effort to complete the repairs in a timely manner. If the person entering to do the repairs is not the landlord, upon request of the tenant, the person must show the tenant written evidence from the landlord authorizing that person to act for the landlord in making the repairs.
Tip #5 – Poor Maintenance
As with the topic of making promises you can’t keep, quickly grow tired of living in a rental property that’s being poorly maintained and this includes not maintaining the landscaping, driveway, hallways, common areas or resolving common maintenance issues like fixing leaking toilets or dripping faucets.
Treating maintenance issues as a priority will continue to show your tenants that you care about them and want to continue keeping them as your tenants.
Get Property Management for Your Portland Oregon Rental Property
To save the time, money and hassle of managing your rental property yourself contact Property Management Systems today by calling us at (503) 515-3170 or click here to connect with us online.
