Inquiries and Your Dallas County Rentals

Many landlords don't think about the harm that can be done by speaking "off the cuff" in regards to their Dallas County rentals. However, the truth is that a lot of damage can be done when you or one of your property managers in Dallas County is caught off guard and says something they shouldn't. For instance, if one of your previous tenants fell down the steps on her front porch and is trying to sue you for damages, what do you think would happen if someone asked one of your maintenance professionals about the condition of the wooden stairs outside the properties he takes care of and he says, "well, most of them need to be repaired"?

Statement like the one above can be used in a lawsuit if it pertains to the case being brought against you. Therefore, if you are providing your own management for your Dallas County rentals, it's a good idea to get a policy in place for how to handle any inquiries regarding your rental properties. First of all, this policy should be written and you should require all of the personnel working for you to sign and date it. However, if you have hired a professional Dallas County property management firm to oversee your investment properties, you need to ask for a copy of their policy regarding private and public inquiries for properties they manage.

Another tip for handling private and/or public inquiries for your Dallas County rentals is to designate a well-spoken employee as your "press contact." If you have a website, this person should be listed to ensure all of these calls go to him/her instead of an "off the cuff" employee who doesn't always think before he/she speaks.

Finally, sit down with your employees and tell them how you want them to respond when anyone, no matter who it is, inquires about any of your Dallas County homes for rent. You need to make sure all of your employees understand your position on this matter. It doesn't matter if we're talking about the maintenance man, office secretary or lawn and garden provider...they all need to know how you want them to respond to these types of inquiries. It will only protect you in the long run.