The Psychology of a Good Landlord-Tenant Relationship

By PropsManager Team | Dec 17, 2025

The Psychology of a Good Landlord-Tenant Relationship

The Home vs. Asset Conflict

• Landlord: Sees the property as a financial asset and a business.
• Tenant: Sees the property as their home, their sanctuary.
• Conflict: You want to inspect the "asset"; they feel you are invading their "home."

Building Trust

• Responsiveness: Answering the phone shows you care.
• Fairness: Applying rules consistently.
• Empathy: Understanding that a broken heater isn't just a repair ticket; it means they are freezing.

The Bank Account of Goodwill

Every time you fix something quickly or let a small issue slide, you make a deposit into the "Goodwill Account." When you need to raise rent or ask for a favor (e.g., showing the unit), you can make a withdrawal.

Conclusion

Treat tenants with dignity. A happy tenant pays rent. An unhappy tenant looks for reasons to sue or leave.