Keeping Your Landlord Hat On

Joline

Keep Your Landlord Hat On

We hold many different roles and titles as people. Some of the roles and titles that you have may include a daughter, son, mother, father, sister, brother, coach, mentor, pastor, friend, cook, social worker, teacher, businessman, businesswoman, manager, landlord, etc. Imagine that each one of the roles that you have is a hat that you have the ability to put on or take off. If you are reading this blog post, it is most likely because one of your roles is a landlord. And as a landlord, it is important that you don’t confuse your hats and that you keep your landlord hat on as you interact with your tenants.    
A tenant-landlord relationship must be treated as a business relationship. As a landlord, it is your responsibility to keep your tenant relationships business professional. That can be a challenging thing to do if you build great, personal connections with your tenants. A tenant may come to you with something personal or may want you to be understanding of their side of things and offer them some grace. And because you have built a good relationship with that tenant and feel care and concern for him or her, you may feel like it would be wrong not to offer them that grace. But as a landlord, you need to be intentional about not confusing your hats and keeping your landlord hat on. It is not your responsibility to put on the “father” hat or the “social worker” hat with your tenants. The reality is that you are his or her landlord and the relationship you have with him or her is ultimately a business professional relationship. You are running a rental business and your tenants must follow through on their end of the agreement if your business is going to thrive.
couple having conversation with landlord
The best way to go about a situation like this is to first seek to understand your tenant’s situation and to show him or her that you genuinely care about what he or she is experiencing. Then, begin to figure out how you can best resolve the situation without compromising what you require as a landlord.

If you have any questions or would like more information on how you can maintain great relationships with your tenants, feel free to call us at 530-410-6085! We are property managers in Redding who do property management in Redding and Shasta County and would love to help you with anything you may need!

Share this post with a friend!

 
 

Disclaimer: The content on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or advice. Consult with a qualified professional for specific advice.

Image of a house with a warranty sign above
By Aaron Robertson July 3, 2026
The cheapest repair today is not always the smartest investment for tomorrow.
 A small property owner discussing concerns with a property manager.
By Aaron Robertson June 26, 2026
California's proposed SB 880 could add new housing regulations, creating uncertainty for rental property owners and local housing markets.
A bright summer day in Redding, California with a property manager, tenants, and child with lemonade
By Vicky O June 18, 2026
Redding's June rental market remains strong with low vacancies, steady demand, summer maintenance priorities, and continued growth across the region.
Show More