How to Manage Unruly Tenants

Being a landlord certainly has its ups and downs. Renting a property can give you a sizeable boost to your income and give you the flexibility of being your own boss but it often comes with some serious downsides. 

If you want to reap the benefits of being a landlord without suffering through the problems then you should get in touch with a knowledgeable management firm. Experts like the ones at the Slepian Firm, can give you the guidance you need to make the process go smoothly for both you and your renter

If you are currently finding your tenants too difficult to manage, you aren’t alone. Many landlords have a number of issues with those they have placed trust in to maintain their property. The following are the top 6 complaints made by landlords towards their tenants in the US:

Deposits

With so many fees involved, it is easy to see why both sides can get confused about how much was paid and how much is still owed. This can be especially true when it comes time to evict a tenant due to property damage.

Late payments

Late payments are one of the primary causes for conflicts between a landlord and their tenant. If you have a good relationship with your tenant and you feel that you can trust them then you may feel comfortable extending deadlines and waiting for payment. If it happens repeatedly and you feel like the tenants are using you then you may have to take stricter measures.

Written agreements

To make sure both you and your tenants are protected you will need to put a variety of rules of rules in place for them to follow. The most common include pet ownership, keeping the property clean and whether you can make changes to the property.

Noise

Whether its loud music, fights or late night parties, noise complains can cause a landlord serious headaches.

Unclean premises

Hoarding can be a serious issue, especially when you consider the cleaning bill after the tenant vacates. When a tenant keeps the house or surrounding property in poor repair, it can lead to injuries, health issues and even vermin infestations. You have to decide whether the continued rent will be worth the cost of cleanup in these situations.

Illegal activities

Drugs and abuse would be two serious violations that can never be ignored. If either happens on one of your properties then you should consult your attorney immediately.

It can sometimes feel like a tug of war between you and your tenant when it comes to keeping the peace. If your situation has veered out of control, keep in mind that there are many ways you can manage unruly tenants who currently should be vacating your property:

• Be fair – Regardless of the extent of the problem, try to see the tenant’s point of view and have a valid reason for issuing a warning or eviction notice. If they have repeatedly missed the rent or had a number of other violations on the property, you are well within your grounds to call for action. Just make sure you use a subtle approach and you have given them ample warning before lowering the boom. It can sometimes be a tricky proposition to evict a tenant so you should always try to resolve the issue before it goes too far. Consult your lawyer and agreement on the correct codes of conduct.
• Be stern – Follow every procedure by the book in a fair and sensible manner. If you keep your head and take it step by step, you can get rid of most problem tenants in no time. However, a small number of cases might require a tougher stance. You are justified in asking your tenants to leave if they do something truly unacceptable. If they refuse to leave then you will have to have to consider going the legal route. Have your lawyers look over their rental agreement thoroughly to advise you about what you need to do next. Getting your lawyers involved can be necessary, but try to save it as a last resort.
• Be professional – At the end of the day, this is your business. The ups and downs will probably give you a few sleepless nights but as long as you have covered your bases then your problem tenant won’t have a leg to stand on. Just make sure you are prepared to go to court, if it is required. Document everything and always treat your tenant like a business partner instead of a friend.

• Stay informed – You need to know your tenancy agreement inside and out. Go through all of the terms and conditions so you are aware of the details and prepared for any loopholes. If you come across any questions, always consult a professional to clarify the issue.

Managing and evicting your unruly tenants can be a long process, but a necessary one. A single bad experience may take the sheen off what was once a profitable and enjoyable job but just remember, there are fantastic tenants out there as well. Don’t let it dampen your enthusiasm.