How to Be a Good Landlord/Property Manager:

1. Run Your Property Like a Business. This isn’t a hobby, and it’s not a side hustle.
It’s a business—and you have to treat it like one.
Systems, standards, documentation—every detail matters.
Before I rent a unit, I walk through it and ask myself one question:

“Would I move into this property right now?”
If the answer is no, it’s not ready—period.
Whether you’re managing one unit or fifty, the standard should be the same:
Clean, safe, well-maintained.

Your tenants aren’t just paying rent—they’re paying for the right to call this place home.
And if you expect them to respect your property, you have to respect the space they live in.

2. Screen, Screen, Screen. The best way to avoid chasing rent is to avoid renting to people who can’t—or won’t—pay. This is not personal—it’s business. Run the credit. Verify the income. Check the landlord references. If something doesn’t add up, pass. It’s better to leave a unit vacant than to fill it with the wrong tenant.

3. Treat Your Tenants with Respect. Your tenants aren’t just rent checks. They’re your eyes and ears on the ground.
They need to know you expect them to:

• Pay on time
• Report issues promptly
• Keep the property in good condition
• Communicate openly

And in return, they expect you to:

• Handle maintenance promptly
• Communicate professionally
• Respect their right to a safe, clean home

It’s a mutual respect, a mutual responsibility.

4. Be Fair, Be Firm, Be Professional This isn’t about being “nice” or being “the bad guy.”
It’s about setting the standard. You run a professional business, and you expect professional behavior—from yourself and your tenants. Say hello. Be respectful. But when it comes to your property, your standards, and your policies—there are no compromises.

5. Set Clear Expectations—and Enforce Them You don’t chase rent. You don’t accept excuses.
You set the rules:

• Rent due on the 1st
• Grace period ends on the 5th.
• Late fees applied on the 6th.
• Notice to Quit served at the earliest legal point.
• Eviction process starts the moment the law allows—no exceptions.

Final Word This business is about more than collecting rent.
It’s about managing assets, building wealth, and protecting your time—while giving tenants a place they can proudly call home. That’s the real mindset shift.