Seven Tips for Dealing With Difficult or Unreasonable Tenants: When Is Eviction an Option?
Being a landlord to tenants is not always an easy task, as many unreasonable tenants are becoming problematic, despite passing their background check. Every landlord will go through the process of evicting tenants and sending eviction notices, but it is not something you should want to do. Evictions are expensive, as they cost a landlord time, resources, and money in attorney fees. Instead, try to do these seven different things to remedy the situation before you decide to evict your tenants.
Get Insurance
One of the most important aspects to keep in mind is getting insurance for landlords. This will protect your structure, as well as the furniture and appliances inside of it. There are a couple of different plans to choose from, and both plans work to protect the landlord from financial losses.
What to do When a Tenant Doesn’t Pay Rent
Tenants often have problems paying rent monthly for various reasons, such as unemployment or needing mandatory car repairs. Communication is very important when it comes to talking to the tenant regarding the issue. It is also important to understand the tenant and try to negotiate with them regarding possible payment plans.
Bad Unreasonable Tenants Make it Through the Screening Process
A credit check and an application are not enough to determine whether a tenant will be good or bad. Instead, consider implementing these ways to screen tenants.
Do a complete background check to verify employment, previous rentals, credit checks, and speak with their previous landlords to get references. When you are showing the rental to prospective tenants, interview them on the spot. Learn why they are leaving their current rental and determine what they expect from your rental.
The Rental Property Has a Bad Reputation
Some landlords have buildings that gain a bad reputation because the tenants have loud parties or have guests at all hours of the night. This can greatly affect the landlord’s ability to attract qualified tenants and their families. To rectify the situation, talk to local law enforcement. They will be able to let you know if they get many calls from your building. If that is the case, then you will not have much difficulty evicting bad tenants.
Disruptive Unreasonable Tenants
A thorough screening is advised, but it will not prevent future problems with neighbors. To resolve this, allow your tenants to dispute any issues they have with their neighbors. Put it in the contract that tenants must make every attempt to resolve any issues they may have with neighbors.
If a resolution is not reached, then as a landlord, you must step in. If both parties will not cooperate, explain to them the importance of their understanding and that they may not like the final decision reached.
High Tenant Turnover
Landlords often lose tenants because of the time it takes them to respond to certain repair issues tenants have. To alleviate such problems with tenants, make sure all responses to maintenance issues are timely resolved. Repair and upgrade units regularly so that incoming tenants will not have issues.
Pest Issues
Besides maintenance issues, tenants have problems with units if there are pest problems that are not being taken care of effectively. Make sure your tenants are safe and hire the appropriate exterminators to take care of the issues your tenants are facing. Landlords and tenants must work together and have a good relationship with open communication. As a tenant, take care of the rental property you are living in. As a landlord, make sure you know your tenants and have compassion and understanding regarding any hardships they may encounter.
