Inherited tenants with a language barrier

[Account Closed]

I'm looking at a triplex that's fully occupied and the numbers work. I viewed the property today and all tenants were home. A little awkward but not a problem. The issue is none of them speak English and I'm not bilingual. If I take on this property how would I handle any communication? This would be my first property and I'd be self managing. I'm aware and sensitive to fair housing laws. I'm just concerned about normal communication.

[Michael Boyer]

Interesting situation and prompt. It would be one thing to do a one off transaction and hire/find a translator for the help.

But on the day to day communication that is key for management, even safety (how do you say egress window or CO2 detector, etc) and your sanity, I would think of a third option.

Rather than buy/not buy--it may be possible to see if there is a good bilingual property manager in the area. That would take care of the language barrier. You miss the self management, but perhaps you can handle the maintenance to get hands on experience and ease into management. Let the property manager know you want to work on some of the details (hiring contractors, mowing the lawn, etc).

Absent, a reliable go between, I probably would not take on a first property where I could not even explain my policies to the tenant.

Best of Luck!