Florida Renters: How Can You Prepare for an Ongoing Global Emergency?
Florida PMServices • April 20, 2020
If you’re a Florida renter wondering how you will possibly get through this current global pandemic, we want you to know that we understand and share your concerns, your anxiety, and your uncertainty. These are unprecedented times, and we hope that you and your loved ones remain healthy, safe, and calm.
At Florida Property Management Services, we are here to support the tenants renting homes from us, and to provide as many resources as we can to anyone who needs them – whether you work with us or not.
On today’s blog, we want to discuss how Florida renters can get through this current emergency and prepare themselves for any future and unexpected disasters.
What Florida Renters Should be Doing Now
Right now, you may be feeling emotional and distracted. If you’ve lost your job or seen your hours or your paycheck decrease, you’re probably stressed out financially. Even if you’ve managed to hold onto your job, you may be required to put yourself at risk every day by going out into the world to do what you’re paid to do.
Talk to your landlord or your Florida property managers. If you’re able to continue paying rent, we recommend that you do so. This will allow landlords and rental property owners to help the tenants who are truly struggling and cannot put together even a partial rental payment. Yes, there’s a temporary ban on some evictions and a delay on others. This doesn’t mean everyone should stop paying rent. If you’re still employed, we recommend that you maintain as much normalcy as possible. Pay your rent, pay your bills, and help your loved ones when you can.
If you find you are under extreme financial stress and you cannot make your next rent payment, talk to your landlord or property manager. This is not the time to shy away from uncomfortable discussions. Explain your situation and together you can put together a payment plan or work something out. If you’re working with a great landlord or a professional property manager, you will probably be able to come to a resolution that protects both you and the person who owns your home.
Preparing for the Future: Crisis Planning
It’s hard to think clearly and proactively during a crisis. But, you can use this time to make an emergency plan for the future. If something like the COVID-19 pandemic occurs again, you’ll feel a little more prepared and a little more resourceful. Some of the things that should go into your crisis plan include:
- Contact information for all state, local, and federal resources. This could include the hospital closest to you, all your medical contacts, the CDC, FEMA, and the Florida Department of Health.
- Contact information for your landlord or property manager, your renter’s insurance company, your banks and creditors, and all utility companies.
- A financial plan. Write out what you will do if you lose all your salary, part of your salary, or all your savings.
No one likes to think about worst case scenarios, but having a plan in place for them will help you handle anything that may happen, whether it’s another outbreak, a hurricane, or something equally as disruptive.
How to Be a Good Tenant During a Global Crisis
Finally, do everything you can to be a good tenant. All the stress and anxiety you feel is also being felt by the people around you. That includes your landlord. A good tenant will be open and honest. A good tenant will communicate and return phone calls and messages. A good tenant will continue to follow the terms of the lease agreement and pay rent to the best of his or her ability, even in times of crisis.
Perhaps those cosmetic repair issues can wait in order to respect social distancing orders and avoid having maintenance people in your home. Perhaps your unemployment benefits are more than you expected, and you’ll be able to pay most of your rent next month. Perhaps you can order or pick up some groceries for an older neighbor who is at a higher risk if exposed to the virus.
This is an opportunity to be a good tenant, a good citizen, and a good human.
We are here to help in whatever way we can. If you’re a Florida renter with questions, please contact us
at Florida Property Management Services.
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Finding a great tenant for your single-family rental (SFR) used to rely primarily on a clean property and a well-placed "For Rent" sign. Today, the leasing journey begins long before anyone steps through the front door. Today’s renters expect the same convenience and speed from their housing search that they experience online every day, changing how property owners connect with and keep residents. First impressions are solidified online. According to a Zillow Report , 86% of renters now research and narrow down their housing options entirely online, with a growing segment choosing to skip traditional in-person tours altogether. Media-rich listings, transparent pricing, and comprehensive digital layouts seem to no longer be optional. If a property lacks a professional online footprint, many renters will simply scroll past. Convenience also continues to remain a deciding factor. Prospective tenants typically expect fast communication and frictionless leasing processes. The Buildium Industry Report highlights this heightened bar for responsiveness, noting that 48% of single-family renters now demand a response to inquiries within the same day. Utilizing automated workflows, online applications, and digital lease signings keeps high-quality applicants engaged before they pivot to a competitor. With all this in mind, the modern rental experience does not end at move-in. Long-term investor profitability relies heavily on tenant retention, which is deeply influenced by day-to-day operations. Recent SFR Software Reports confirms that professional maintenance management is the primary driver of resident satisfaction, revealing that satisfied residents are 72% more likely to renew their leases. Offering tools like online rent payments and easy maintenance tracking may help improve the resident experience and support stronger tenant satisfaction over time. As your property management partner, we take care of the operational details so you can focus on your investment goals. While property upgrades can add value, creating a smooth, tech-enabled rental experience is just as important in today’s market. Meeting tenant expectations from the first click to lease renewal can help attract quality applicants, reduce turnover, and support stronger rental returns.
From the Law Offices of Heist, Weisse & Wolk, PLLC
