Just got the other half of my duplex filled

[Jonathan Forisha]

Wooo congrats! Love to hear successes.

So much of landlording depends on your tenant, and hopefully you’ve got great ones. But with them next door, you should draw some boundaries and make sure your lease covers stuff like noise complaints, what to do with dog waste, and how to handle parking.

The biggest thing is to make sure you and your tenants are communicating clearly with one another! I hope it continues to go swimmingly for you.

[Krista Reuther]

Way to go, John!

My first piece of advice is to ask the contractor whose work you liked if there’s anyone in his network that he’d recommend using after he retires.

Also, I agree with Jonathan’s note about communication – that’s key, especially when your tenant lives right next door. I’d add that your proximity could make it tempting for tenants to walk on over if they need help with something, so giving them clear instructions on how you prefer to be communicated with and what constitutes an emergency will set all of you up for success.

To that end, might I recommend our free Welcome Home Guide? This customizable guide is the perfect place to spell out important information, from how best to reach you to where the emergency water shut-off is.