When managing a property the property manager and tenant relationship is very important. A great majority of the time things go smoothly; with a good property manager in place there may be very little going on aside from collecting agreed upon monthly dues and property upkeep matters. Occasionally, however, tenant issues may arise. When a tenant feels that his or her concerns are not being addressed, a petition may be the best way to get the property manager’s attention.
How to Write a Petition for a Property Manager
Tone, Structure, and Content
First and foremost, a petition document must be professional in its content and formatting. Content should be organized into paragraphs with a clear introductory statement that explains what issue the petition is addressing. The goal is to identify what problems need to be addressed by the property manager along with the tenant’s desired solutions. Tone is important; a petition is not meant to be an inflammatory or accusatory document. It should be professional, polite, and concerned only with the facts of the ongoing issue.
Document Structure
Introduction: in terms of how the petition is structured, there should be a clear title stating what issue the petition is addressing. Next, there should be a simple introduction expanding on this issue and declaration of whom the author is and that they speak on behalf of the undersigned tenants.
The Issue And Related Concerns: the concerns the petition is presenting to the property manager should be listed in order of severity. Be sure to identify your desired timeline for repair. Include relevant documentation that shows the severity/existence of the problem. Statements from residents and pictures combined with law citations and housing requirements related to the problem make the petition more likely to be taken seriously. The more valid a petition, the more likely it is to be handled by the property manager.
Desired Results: next, the petition should include a desired outcome and a clear statement on what the resident wants accomplished. Always include any previous attempts to have this issue addressed. A petition should never be the first step to address a concern and should only come after repeated attempts to have the issue rectified through traditional channels have failed.
Signatures: lastly, there should be plenty of room for signatures at the bottom of the document. Residents should include their signature, address, and the date they signed the document. After a petition has been passed around (either by hard copy or by email) then a copy should be made and passed out to the signers if so desired.
After a petition has been written and reviewed for errors, a hard copy should be submitted to the property manager. The original author should keep a blank and signed copy of the petition for their own records. Once a petition has been received then a property manager can begin reviewing its content and taking steps to come to a desirable solution.
Son-Rise Property Management is a full service property management company located in Bellingham, WA. Contact us today to see how we can help you find the perfect home to rent or manage your property.
