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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Public meetings in Jackson County for May 4-8, 2015 Dozens of drivers nabbed in Medford pedestrian sting VIDEO: Highland Games going on in Wimer today Class of 2016 can get a primer on senior year Emergency services, May 2 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Dozens of drivers nabbed in Medford pedestrian sting Emergency services, May 2 Gold Hill man torched his foreclosed property No leads on who smashed about 20 windows in Ashland before dawn Thursday Ashland man allegedly dragged woman with vehicle Politics and Elections BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. 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Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option Real Estate News Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, May 2 Other Views: Gun-bill recalls misguided, futile Philip Maddocks: Candidates eager to reconnect with everyday billionaires Matthew T. Mangino: Baltimore boils over again Granlund cartoon: Cities and fire starters Editorials Other Views: Gun-bill recalls misguided, futile Our View: Bill gives ex-convicts a glimmer of hope Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 2 Letters to the Editor, May 1 Letters to the Editor, April 30 Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Columns Michael Gerson: A pastor's faith in Baltimore George Will: What stands in Lindsey Graham's way Dana Milbank: Billionaire politics Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Michael Gerson: Weighing the baggage Hillary brings Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Lifestyle Latest stories Go with the (low) flow Find the starry ‘kite’ in the eastern sky Life Lessons & Loves: An ode to the sane and wonderful mothers-in-law Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Food Andrea Honaker: Mexican-inspired dips for Cinco de Mayo Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! 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Onorato: Food items appear in the funnies Home and Garden Betty Montgomery: You can have a variety of ferns in your garden Clean out household chemicals Friday and Saturday Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Costa Living: Basking in flower power Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Health Watch: Pack your pantry with healthy items HealthStyle: It’s all in the family dinner 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories 5 picks for live entertainment Live Music in Local Clubs Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Theater REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Music Thunder's Edge, Steel Cranes tonight at Club 66 The Farr Side: CMAs do it right, in many ways Live Music in Local Clubs Trio Brasileiro plays Old Siskiyou Barn Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Movies Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ has a lot going on Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ knows how to party Catching up with the Avengers Interview: Sofia Vergara talks ‘Hot Pursuit’ Quick Flicks: ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Insurgent’ and more Dining Taqueria Picaro offers casual Mexican cuisine Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' ... Dozens of drivers nabbed in Medford pedestrian sting ... VIDEO: Highland Games going on in Wimer today ... REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' ... Dozens of drivers nabbed in Medford pedestrian sting ... VIDEO: Highland Games going on in Wimer today ... Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints By Richard Montgomery More Content Now MailTribune.com By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Apr. 29, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Apr. 29, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Reader question: We own 75 units in 20 buildings. My husband has a good day job, and I manage the apartments. It is not easy work. We have had tenants occasionally complain, but we have shrugged it off as sour grapes, or “It goes with the turf.” Yesterday, we got a complaint letter that several tenants signed, which is upsetting. What makes a good landlord? — Sue and Vic S. Monty’s answer: Owning and managing apartments are hard work. Management practices must be tailored to the environment, the clientele and working conditions. That said, there are principles to utilize anywhere that can reduce or eliminate complaints. The result is less turnover, less management intervention and happier employees and occupants. 1. Treat tenants respectfully. We all know high-maintenance people. Whether late with the rent, a sharp tongue or unreasonable requests, being respectful can be difficult. There are resources to learn about techniques to employ dealing with difficult people. Books that teach readers how to get along, a local organization with classes in dealing with difficult people and even YouTube has videos on the subject. 2. Be true to your word. If you say you will fix the furnace on Tuesday, fix it on Tuesday. You can negotiate to identify a person, or company to fix problems on demand and is organized and talented enough to stay on schedule. Create a mindset within the organization where every person involved in the “being true to your word” process understands it and has been trained and supervised to carry it out. 3. Keep your property in top shape. Preventive maintenance, timely repairs by qualified people and utilizing products best designed for the job will pay dividends. If paint peels, paint it. When an air conditioner breaks down, fix it or replace it. Something is wrong If you have no repair fund. Establish a monthly replacement repair fund. 4. Be picky about accepting tenants. It is tempting to “take a chance” on a prospective tenant. On the other hand, if they become a collection problem you have gone backward. Review your rent up procedures and credit report service. 5. Get organized to minimize common issues. An example is a move-in/move-out report. Institute this simple piece of paper. A visit on the move-out day can often reduce problems before they happen. Be there to deal with issues helping them get their security deposit back; most will appreciate it. Include your house rules as a part of the lease and inform them before they sign a lease how the move out will occur. 6. Train and manage employees and contractors closely. A specific employee is often the source of tenant complaints. When bringing a new employee or new vendor into a relationship with you and your company, an orientation booklet, and specific training to set the desired expectation is vital. Even better if that conversation takes place as part of the interview process. 7. Pay your vendors on time. “Fast pay makes for good friends” is an important part of holding a good team together. What kind of a message does a contractor or employee receives with slow pay when you really need them? 8. Stay close to the business. It is your responsibility to know how your buildings are being managed. Being on the premises regularly and talking to employees, contractor and tenants allows you to keep a pulse on the happenings. Are the neighbors getting along? Did the contractor finish painting the floor as agreed? Did the Jones move-in go as planned? 9. Be fair, consistent and follow-through. When this principle is in place, the tenants, employees and contractors know they can expect this level of treatment in a relationship with you and your company; it is natural that they will reciprocate in kind. While the tenant does not have the same motivation as the others, it is your job as the leader to mentor and teach your employees to live the principle. 10. Think like a steward. A steward is someone who manages another’s property. See yourself as a temporary custodian who will diligently care for the property until you pass it to the next “steward,” only a better property than when you found it. Think of other examples that could apply to specific tips. It is not easy, but if a property owner practiced each and every one of these principles, it would be extremely difficult for a tenant or tenants to find a reason to complain. Richard Montgomery gives no nonsense real estate advice to readers most pressing questions. He is a real estate industry veteran who has championed industry reform for over a quarter century. Send him questions at DearMonty.com. By Richard Montgomery More Content Now MailTribune.com By Richard Montgomery More Content Now Posted Apr. 29, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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