In Detroit, if your multi-family occupancy rate is less than 78%, you may be falling behind the competition. However, this is a relatively low figure: nationwide, the occupancy rate is above 93%!

If you want to keep up with the rest of the country, you will have to have—on average—all of your units rented about 340 days out of the year; 13 out of 14 units should be occupied at any given time. Given the challenges in keeping multi-family rental properties adequately occupied, what steps can you take to help keep the kinds of tenants that help fuel your property investment portfolio?

Here are some important considerations when trying to increase your multi-family occupancy.

We want to believe that every tenant who makes it through your screening process is going to be a model tenant. They'll take good care of the property, they'll follow the rules of the lease, and they'll pay the rent on time. 

Even with the best screening in place, tenants sometimes try to bend the rules or delay the rent payment. Different tenant issues require different responses from landlords—and sometimes it's hard to know what to do to protect your property and follow the law. If you're a new landlord, it's easy to get frustrated or feel helpless.

As a landlord, when you have an issue with a tenant, it's easy to see how your appreciation can falter. However, it's critical to remember that tenants are a fundamental part of why your rental property business is a success! Without tenants, your West Bloomfield rental property sits vacant—and you lose money. 

Building good tenant relationships can enhance your success as a landlord. You want your best tenants to stay year after year. Whether you intended to own a rental property or you find yourself as an "accidental" landlord, saying "thank you" to your tenants goes a long way.