Communicating with people is very significant in the rental business. We communicate through talking, sending messages, and even body language. If there is no communication, a landlord will not be able to fill in a vacancy, and his business will fall apart.

A landlord interacts with different tenants daily. But what happens when you encounter a tenant who speaks a foreign language? You would have to communicate with this tenant for the duration of his lease, while making sure that there will be no miscommunication. How will you do that?

You must not expect that everyone around you can speak English because there are a lot of foreign people migrating to this country. As expected, they will seek out a place to stay. With all the attractive property listings you post at Padleads, there is a likelihood that you will encounter some foreigners interested in renting your property. I would understand if you are a little hesitant because of the language barrier, but there are different ways you can communicate with them. I will list down some tips for you.

· Relatives

These tenants will not negotiate with you alone because they know it will be difficult. They will likely ask for help from some of their relatives to serve as their interpreter.

It is understandable if they ask someone they trust to help them find a property to rent. It will also help you if an English speaker accompanies them to discuss the lease agreement. You have to make sure that they fully understand the policies before letting them sign.

· Mobile Apps

Technology has certainly come a long way. We are now able to do a lot of things with a single gadget and a fast internet connection. As expected, it has also made it easier for us to communicate with other people, particularly those who speak a different language from us.

You can easily download language applications on your phone like Google translate. I have used this once or twice, and it certainly helped me. You do not have to worry about speaking the language because the app can do it for you.

· Hiring translators

If the tenant has no family or relatives to go with them, they have an option to hire an interpreter. There are available interpreters for non-English speakers, so it would not be difficult for them to find one.

You also have an option to hire interpreters if needed. It may cost you but think of the advantages of hiring them. It’s not only the applicants who will have a difficult time communicating but you too.

Some organizations can offer discounted translations for non-English speakers. Create a list of these groups and refer them to your applicants.

· Put it into writing

Even if you have interpreters and language apps as options, it is still better to use written communication. You might not cover all the essential points in the tenant screening and lease agreements verbally because you might tend to concentrate on the need to express yourself rather than what you are saying.

With a written document, they can ask their interpreters to go over it and, in return, send their written response to you. That way, you’ll know the things that you covered and things that you still need to discuss with them.

· Do not bend your rules

One of the things that can make a landlord apprehensive is the possibility that the tenant may use the excuse of not understanding the language to get away with breaking the rules. A lease agreement is a legal contract, and anyone who violates it should suffer the corresponding consequences.

That is why they must have interpreters so they can understand every detail before signing. You can also send them a translated version of your lease agreement to assist them further. You shouldn’t bend your rules each time they use the excuse of not understanding the terms.

· Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act protects foreigners from discrimination. A landlord cannot reject an applicant solely based on his race or nationality. It does not specify anything about non-English speakers, but the Federal Housing Organization considers the language as an extension of someone’s national origins.

Do not look at the language difference as a disadvantage. You might miss out on some great tenants. It is not easy for them either, but I know they will find ways to communicate. Hey, maybe it’s time for you to learn a new language too.