Here are some common reasons tenants might be looking to move and tips for avoiding losing good tenants:

 

Tenants may move out because the rent has become too expensive for them. This could be a proposed increase from an annual rent review or their own financial situations changing, i.e., their income may have decreased due to a job loss or an increase in other expenses. Sometimes it can be advantageous to keep the rent lower and dodge the void period… just make sure the numbers add up! You could loose any uplift in rental value over the property being vacant for 1-2 weeks.

 

 

There are a number of life events that require the need for more space. A marriage, the birth of a child, starting a home business, relatives coming to live full-time and other circumstances can force your tenant to start searching for a bigger property. There’s not much you can do to add space, but if you have a portfolio of properties and something which could be suitable, it might be worth mentioning it to them.

 

 

Some tenants would move if they didn't like their neighbours. This might sound like something that's out of your hands, but it is resolvable. The first thing to do is speak to the neighbours as they might not realise they're doing anything wrong. If they're renting too, the next step is to have a discussion with their landlord if the problem still doesn’t seem to get sorted. The next step after that would be to turn to the local council. Issues could be things like dogs barking, loud music and big piles of rubbish. If all of this fails and it becomes a long-term issue, this could drive the tenant to eventually hand in the notice and move out.

 

 

Tenants could be making the leap to buy their own property. This could be due to various reasons, for example, they can finally afford to join the property ladder, and they want to have their own investment, are expecting a family or relocating. They may request more flexibility in the contract so they are not bound to it for longer than they need to if they find a property to buy. Being flexible and accommodating can help to build trust and foster a positive relationship which can help when you come to re-let so need access and the property presented well.

 

 

A well-maintained property is key to keeping tenants happy and avoiding turnover. Maintenance issues can cause a tenant to move out because they are seeing a recurring issues or it never got sorted out by the landlord in the first place. It is your responsibility as a landlord to keep the structure and exterior of the property well maintained, in good repair and provide your tenant with a safe place to live in. Landlords are responsible for: pest control, damp, gas, water and electricity, leaking roofs etc. Tenants are responsible for: doing minor repairs, such as changing fuses and light bulbs, bleeding radiators, keeping the property clean, taking out any unwanted waste etc.

By acting quickly and resolving maintenance issues as they pop up, you’re much more likely to save money in the long run by keeping a good tenant and avoiding void periods. If you’re too busy or live far away, a letting agent is a good solution, able to solve problems as they arise, especially in emergency situations.

 

Good communication is essential for building a positive relationship with your tenants. Keep them informed about any changes or updates to the property, and be available to answer any questions or concerns they may have.

If a tenant raises a concern, take it seriously and work to address it as quickly as possible. This will show that you value their input and care about their comfort and safety.

Don't wait for tenants to raise concerns or issues. Be proactive and conduct regular inspections of the property to identify any potential maintenance or repair needs. This can help to address issues before they become major problems and improve tenant satisfaction.

You are required to do so by law anyway but give them proper notice before entering the property for inspections or repairs and prepare to be flexible if they want to be there and the initial time was not convenient. This can help to build trust and show that you value their rights as tenants.

There are a number of reasons good tenants can leave, even if they like the property they are in. Smart landlords will get in front of these issues and find ways to keep those tenants in their property to avoid turnover costs. By following these tips, landlords can build positive relationships with their tenants and avoid losing good tenants. A happy tenant is more likely to renew their lease and recommend the property to others (e.g. when viewings are being conducted), which can help to reduce void periods and increase rental income.