How nice would it be
if tenants were always perfect and never gave landlords any trouble! But in the
real world, problematic tenants are out there and as a real estate investor,
encountering any of them when renting your property is a possibility.
There are a few
steps that you can complete to minimize the odds of finding yourself
face-to-face with a problematic tenant. This includes:
·
Screen
all tenants before renting
·
Use the
services of a property management company to minimize contact with tenants
·
Explain
and enforce all of the rules in place at your property
Despite your best
efforts, however, it is possible to encounter problematic tenants and you
should know how to respond in such an event.
Inform the Tenant of your Expectations
Your lease should
contain information concerning your tenant expectations. Once signed, it is
your responsibility to enforce the rules. The tenant may say that they were
unaware of a certain rule. You can always refer back to your lease and may want
to send the tenant an updated copy of the information that is causing them to
become problematic. Check over here
for more detailed info.
Know your Rights
While tenants have
renter’s rights, it is important to know that you have rights as a landlord as
well. If a tenant is not paying their rent on time, has law at
their home on frequent occasion, or commits one of many other acts, they may be
considered a problematic tenant and legal recourse is available to you in such
a situation.
Additional Tips
Dealing with
problematic tenants certainly threatens to rain on your day, but you don’t have
to let it. Here are a few additional tips that make dealing with problematic
tenants easier.
·
Never
argue or become combative with a tenant. Stay calm and maintain your composure
at all times!
·
If a
tenant becomes combative with you, don’t be afraid to pick up the telephone and
call the police.
·
Always
try to talk to the tenant about the problem. It is quite possible that they’re
unaware that they are even causing a problem in the first place. For example,
if a tenant is constantly playing loud music at night, perhaps they’re unaware
of how great the sound travels.
·
Use the
services offered from a property management
company. When you entrust a property management company to handle your
rentals, you won’t have to worry about problematic tenants because they handle
all aspects of your property!
·
Keep an
audio or video recording of the incidents that you are experiencing with
tenants.
·
Take the
time to properly screen tenants before allowing them to move
into your home. It is a simple process that can save you time and trouble
later down the line.
The Bottom Line
Problematic tenants
don’t have to ruin your day when the information above is kept in mind. Doesn’t
it feel much better knowing how to protect yourself in such an event?
