Unruly or rude tenants are not uncommon. Even with the most meticulous tenant screening process, bad renters can still slip through the cracks, and you will have to deal with them in a way that won’t cause more trouble.
Failure To Pay On Time
A tenant paying rent late once is understandable, but repeated delays signal a larger problem. You have to think about how it will affect you and how your leniency sets a precedent for other tenants. This can quickly make rent collection more tedious.
Establish clear rules in your lease agreement and enforce them fairly. Politely remind the tenant of the consequences of late rent, including any incurred fees. When the problem persists, that’s when you can consider more extreme measures like eviction.
Refusing To Cover Property Damage
There are different types of damage to examine before charging your tenant for repair or replacement costs. Some are normal wear and tear, while others could be excessive damage. Remember that you can’t have a tenant cover damage from wear and tear.
A proactive measure would be to draft a well-written lease, collect a security deposit, and conduct move-in inspections. If that does not suffice, calmly explain what damages are covered by the landlord and what’s covered by the tenant. You can always deduct the costs from the security deposit as long as you provide an itemized receipt afterward.
Threatening Legal Action
It’s not common, but it does happen. When tenants feel they have been mistreated, they may resort to legal action. If that happens, don’t panic, especially if you’ve followed proper procedures.
Review your lease agreement carefully and note the terms that address the issue. Collect as much documentation as you can to help your case, and more importantly, consult a legal professional. Even if you’re in the right, going against a tenant with legal counsel can still lead to a bad outcome.
Frequent Complaints
If you’re lucky enough, you might not have a tenant who complains about everything, whether it’s a big issue or a minor inconvenience. These tenants take advantage of communication channels and often want the landlord to solve all the problems they report.
However, that’s not always how it works. Clarify what your legal obligations as a landlord are, such as maintaining safety and habitability, as opposed to tenant responsibilities, like changing light bulbs or cleaning appliances. If needed, refer to a specific section of your lease agreement to remind them of your established terms.
Good Practices a Landlord Should Do
- Be proactive and create a clear lease agreement that can be followed by all parties involved. This will serve as your guide if a dispute cannot be settled with initial conversations.
- Always be polite. Even if a tenant is difficult, rude, or even just obnoxious, you have to be professional with your approach.
- Stay updated with local and state laws to prevent unknowingly violating them. You can do this by consulting legal experts or your fellow landlords.
- Always keep a copy of important documents. If you ever need proof, references, or histories, you can use these to resolve disputes or defend yourself.
The Easiest Way To Deal with Difficult Tenants
The best way to deal with tenants might be not to deal with them at all. That’s not to say that you should ignore them entirely, but you can always hire someone else to deal with them. Companies like Investment Safe Property Management are already familiar with such circumstances.
Let us deal with the potential headaches and pitfalls that come with tenant complaints. In fact, you can avoid difficult tenants altogether. With proactive measures and vigilant lease enforcement, our property management services can help you maximize your property's value.
Sounds good? Contact us and learn more!