Should You Leave a Negative Review!

Admin
Published Date: 2012-12-12

A few weeks ago I wrote about a bad stay I had in a corporate rental. The property, simply put, wasn't up to snuff. I felt the landlord did the minimum amount of effort required to fix a few things I complained about, but he did not go above and beyond in any way. I also felt that he didn't properly disclose that the property was just above a noisy train line. When all was said and done, the only power I had was to leave a review. It was my only way of sharing my experiences with the landlord and future tenants. Plus, I felt a public review would put a sense of accountability back into the landlord's lap. A healthy fear of bad reviews can be a driving force to shape up a lazy landlord. But before you write that bad review, consider the following tips: Have a Goal: Are you leaving a review for the right reasons, like to help the landlord improve? Or warn future tenants? Set a goal for the review to help you stay focused. Remember to make your goal productive (i.e., getting "even" isn't a productive goal!) Don't Bash: Don't bash or disparage the landlord; rather, simply share the facts. In my recent situation, I took a few days to cool down before writing the review so I could write with a steady, calm mindset. Never write a review when you're in the thick of it or you might say something really hurtful and that isn't productive for anyone. Be Mindful: Remember, someone might lose their job based on the review you write. There is no need to be overly rude or overtly obnoxious in your review. Make sure you point out any positives in addition to negatives. Also, make note in your review if the  landlord was responsive and tried to resolve the issue to the best of his or her ability. Well rounded reviews are much less likely to be challenged by the landlord and more likely to be believed by a future tenant. Recognize Awesomeness: If you had a particularly awesome experience - everything was perfect, or the landlord went above and beyond to fix any oversights - then make sure you recognize him or her for being amazing. Too often we are quick to point out negatives, but slow to recognize pure awesomeness!