Maintaining high tenant retention rates is important for the profitability and sustainable operation of a rental property. Due to the consistently increasing competition in the rental market, prioritizing tenant satisfaction has become important to retain renters for the long term. Kanat Sultanbekov points out that tenant turnover can be pretty costly for landlords and property managers. Empty units mean lost rental income and the hassle of finding new tenants. To avoid such issues, it is prudent to keep the tenants happy and encourage them to renew their leases. 

Kanat Sultanbekov lists a few effective tenant retention strategies for property managers

Tenant retention is the ability of property owners or managers to keep the current tenants renewing their leases, instead of having them move out and needing to find new renters for the building. In the domain of property management, retaining tenants is more efficient and affordable than constantly having to find new tenants. This practice not only helps in ensuring a steady flow of rental income, but can also lower expenses associated with finding and screening new tenants.  A combination of proactive management, strong tenant relationships and value driven services are needed to maximize tenant retention. Here are a few tenant retention strategies that property managers may follow:

• Build a positive tenant-landlord relationship: Cultivating a positive relationship between landlords or property managers and their tenants is among the core aspects of ensuing tenant retention. Maintaining a responsive, warm and friendly attitude can be instrumental in creating a sense of respect and trust. If tenants feel heard and valued, they are less likely to look for a new home. 
• Timely maintenance and repairs: Addressing maintenance and repair requests in a prompt manner would be important for tenant satisfaction. A property that is well maintained would demonstrate that one truly cares about the safety and comfort of the tenants. Regular inspections should be carried out on the property to identify and address potential issues before they become major problems.
• Lease renewal incentives: Providing attractive incentives for lease renewal can be an effective strategy for enticing tenants to stay. Property managers should consider providing incentives like free month’s rent, rent discounts or even upgrades to the unit. Even though incentives like these would incur certain short term expenses, they are likely to be less costly in comparison to dealing with tenant turnover.
• Clear and transparent communication: Property managers must make sure that the tenants can communicate with them through multiple channels. Updates on various property related issues, starting from community events to maintenance schedules should be sent to the tenants on a regular basis. Keeping the tenants in the loop would lower the chances of misunderstandings and elevate the overall tenant experience. 

As Kanat Sultanbekov says, property managers should try their best to foster a strong sense of community in order to make tenants feel more connected to their neighbors and the property. Creating a welcoming living environment, organizing regular social events or activities for tenants to mingle, and promoting community involvement through newsletters or social media, are simple steps that may help improve tenant retention.