As we work through the pandemic, here are some lease renewals thoughts that could apply post-pandemic that landlords and property managers may want to consider going forward in 2021.
By Justin Becker
There is no doubt that COVID-19 has changed the way people occupy space and interact, which, as a result, has caused a decline in demand for space and property. The unprecedented crisis is expected to have lasting effects, depending on how long the virus persists.
In order to respond to the crisis, it is important that property managers and owners take action now rather than later. In the post-pandemic era, landlords should review some strategies regarding property leases.
COVID-19 has seen the closure of many retail locations, not just in the United States but across the globe. Since the duration of the pandemic is uncertain, landlords, tenants and lenders are all trying to figure out their next steps involving real estate inter-parties.
While the relationship between property owners and tenants depends on individual lease agreements , regarding leases to private and commercial properties, the post-pandemic era will require some changes that property owners can make to address the unique challenges brought about by COVID-19.
Below are some of the possible steps that property owners should consider during the post-COVID-19 period.
1. Rent Deferral
Considering rent deferral is one of the steps that landlords can take to address the challenges that most tenants, especially those occupying homes, apartments and townhomes for rent, are currently facing. The world has witnessed massive job losses, which means that people and businesses are facing financial difficulties.
An agreement to defer a portion, or the entirety, of the rent for a defined period of time would be most effective to address the situation. Deferred rent would then be paid after the agreed period lapses or over the duration of time, depending on how the situation resumes to normalcy.
Ideally, the issue of rent deferral is subject to several factors that guide the property owner’s decision to set the terms of such an agreement. For example, deferral on commercial property should be based on the tenant’s business operations.
There are certain businesses that are not self-sustaining, which means that there is no guarantee that you will be paid at the end of the deferral period. You need to set the terms in such a way that while the aim is to provide the tenant with financial relief, you are also able to maintain your cash flow under the lease.
2. Rent Reduction
Rent reduction might be perceived as unfavorable to landlords, but it works towards building a good relationship with the tenants. As a property owner or property manager, rent reduction should be one of the options, provided that it does not take place at the expense of the landlord’s cash flow.
Of course, rent-restructuring is more economically viable to the tenants, which is why many property owners would consider it as unfavorable to them. However, there is no actual telling how long the effects of COVID-19 will last.
This means that the financial burden on the tenants might extend for an unknown period. Considering rent reduction, no matter how unfavorable it might seem, is not entirely a bad option. An alternative to rent reduction to landlords is tolling the rent.
An agreement can simply be drafted detailing the abatement period that provides some rent relief to the tenant. However, property owners and managers should understand that rent abatement does not provide any relief on the part of the landlord in terms of cash flow, operating costs and other ongoing obligations.
3. Setting Realistic Expectations
One thing that COVID-19 has taught the world is that you can never be too sure about the future. For this reason, it is important for parties involved in property leases to set out realistic goals that address the unique nature of the current situation that they find themselves in.
Going forward, it is expected that it will take some time before the situation resumes to normalcy, especially in terms of income challenges.
The current economic hardships are already difficult for both landlords and tenants, hence the need to establish workable goals that are practical and discernible. This way, you won’t lose your tenants as a property owner due to financial constraints, as the challenges being experienced are not permanent.
The mutually acceptable solutions, in the short term, should leave you in a better position post-COVID when the harsh economic times change for the better.
4. The Need For Lease Transparency
Transparency is one of the key things that will be needed in real-estate deals during the post COVID-19 era. While leases are meant to guarantee that transparency is upheld in rental agreements, there are instances where certain clauses are left out by the property owners only for the tenant to be subjected to these clauses after signing the lease renewal agreement.
Tenants also have a tendency of leaving out crucial information that can affect the tenancy agreement in the long run.
It is such disputes that tend to escalate, especially when one party involved in the lease feels aggrieved. To avoid such disputes, full disclosure is important, especially on the parts of the tenants that are struggling with financial difficulties. Of course COVID-19 has affected property owners and their tenants alike. This is an issue that landlords understand too well.
In the event that the lease renewal can be altered to factor in emerging issues brought about by the pandemic, then such an eventuality would work to the benefit of the parties involved. Non-disclosure on either of the parties only causes unnecessary disputes that can easily be solved through consensus.
5. Consider Third-Party-Lender Approvals
With the demand for apartments and mobile homes for lease constantly changing, it is important that you consider third-party lenders as part of your plan to maintain a steady cash flow. With tenants yet to recover financially, post-COVID will require that you consider getting funds from alternative lenders to stay afloat.
For property owners and managers, such real estate requires a lot of maintenance. Even if the demand for apartments has been on the decline, the tenants residing there require basic services and repairs, in case of damage to the property. As outlined in most leases, it is the responsibility of the tenant to cover damages to the property they are residing in.
With that said, there are unique situations where the damage may be as a result of other causes other than the tenant. This means that the tenant cannot be charged for such damages. Availability of funds ensures that possible repairs are done fast, meaning the tenant is not affected in any way that would be in violation of the tenancy agreement.
6. What To Expect Post-COVID In The Real Estate Market
The current crisis has led to significant stress on both landlords and their tenants. Both parties have experienced a decline in cash flow, business interruption and overall suspension to some. To address the unprecedented challenges brought about by COVID-19, landlord-tenant agreements should be mutually beneficial. Landlords can offer some waivers, but tenants too should strive to fulfil their rent obligations.
This calls for a change in the way property owners and tenants interact post-COVID. With competent planning, the situation is likely to change sooner than expected. This means that every decision has to be accompanied by a shared goal between landlords and tenants.
Future leases and lease renewals post-pandemic will need to factor in the need to have a plan regarding how both parties intend to address these types of issues. However, there is every need to be prudent regarding how the issues brought by COVID-19 are leveraged to address the current crisis.
The post-COVID era promises a lot of uncertainties to both landlords and tenants. With that said, it is better to deal with the crisis now through the strategies outlined above before focusing towards the future. This is how property owners can address the current crisis and also ensure that they do not lose their tenants.
About the author:
Justin Becker is a property owner in the state of Michigan and has a passion for managing communities. He owns apartment complexes and mobile home communities, and has been writing his own blogs for his properties for several years.
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