Supporting Landlords

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness

Network, Provincial ConferenceMarch, 2015

Introduction

Judi ClooneyTenant Relations SpecialistStella's Circle, Supportive Housing ProgramTel: 738-5055 email j.clooney@StellasCircle.ca

Melanie HickeySocial WorkerStella's Circle, Supportive Housing ProgramTel: 738-0569 email m.hickey@StellasCircle.ca

Roles

You may often feel like a….real estate agent, salesperson etc.

Explain your role to the landlord and the team’s role

Get a grasp as to what the landlord’s role will be when it comes to working with your client (ex. Boundaries)

Landlord concerns

• Poor housing history• No credit• No landlord references• Low income• No rental history• Criminal history• Lifestyle

Understanding Landlords

• They are businesspeople; goal is to make money on their property• They want to reduce financial risk wherever/whenever possible• They want to maximize the return on their property they’ve

invested in!

Landlords most often want to contribute to their communities and to give back!

What do landlords want?

• Rent paid on time• Someone to call• No property damage• When things go awry; a soundboard • Navigating systems • They need to know their issues will be

addressed

Other Common landlord concerns

• Funding: rent comes from outside agency, not from the

tenant (direct AES) • Landlords may believe they have to take all tenants who

apply (landlords must have choice)• Landlords may believe they cannot evict for cause/what is

my obligation here?• Loss of rent

Common landlord concerns

• Damages• Bed bugs • Fear of not having support when working with

complex needs tenants with multiple players involved

• Traffic and guest issues • Safety of other tenants or building staff• Navigating multiple systems can be intimidating

and frustrating

Communication is everything!

• After hours service if available (can be email, emergency line, etc.)Important to maintain regular contact

• Open communication• Be flexible; they are able to reach you• Landlords appreciate having after-hour support• What do they expect? What do you expect? Transparency • Timely responses

Communication

• Call regularly, get feedback on rental situation • Don’t just check in when things are going

downhill• Send e-mail to landlords keeping them up to date

on program happenings, results, staffing, etc. • Thank you cards • Good communication with the support team

involved with the tenant is also essential

Landlord Engagement

• If landlords are concerned about the risks involved with renting to your clients, remind them that they take a risk with any tenant, but that your program mediates those risks.

• Remind landlords that they have the opportunity to improve the quality of life for others.

• Recruitment: build on the existing landlord network you have; word travels quickly

Landlord Engagement

• Support piece is an incentive • Market your program; you are selling your

program that will be mutually beneficial to landlord, tenant and program you work for!

• Remember it’s a small world….one good or bad experience can make a difference

Marketing Materials

• Agency/program brochures • One-page informational handouts or fact

sheets • Business cards • Information about homelessness, poverty

and mental health

Marketing and Selling Points

• Agency newsletters (i.e. The Stellagram, Annual Reports, AGM info)

• Invite your landlords to events (such as the AGM, Pancake Breakfast)

• Client success stories• Media coverage of agency or program (ex. Allan Hawco anti-

stigma ads) • Testimonial letters from other landlords who have partnered and

benefitted from the experience (landlord and tenant quotes can be powerful)

• Agency website• Twitter, Facebook (powerful form of marketing and info. sharing)

Marketing and Buy-in

• Advise the landlord of what your assessment/screening process looks like

• Tenants receive tenant education (i.e. Are you ready to rent?)

• What type of case management support does the tenant receive? What does the support package look like?

• The support piece is often the SELLING POINT!