Managing Problematic Tenants

Being a property owner is a tricky but fulfilling activity. One of the most troublesome elements of possessing rental real estate is mastering how to take care of unsettling renters. Research indicates that 3 out of every 10 renters are objectionable. Chances are high if you own rental properties you have experienced, or soon will experience, problem tenants.

There are 3 primary issues landlords must deal with regarding poor tenants. The first problem that nearly all landlords have faced is late payment. Even though this is a very typical issue, there are some good methods to resolve it. With tenants who are usually prompt payers, a simple late notice will probably solve the problem. But what about the renters that make their payments late every single month? This kind of renter typically need a more stern approach. The ideal thing a landlord should do is charge late payment fees and collect said payments quickly. The landlord in these cases must be willing to develop clear cut standards and apply them no matter what excuse the tenant makes.

The second major problem that landlords face is tenants who refuse, or simply cannot afford, to pay the rent. Remember that no rent means no income for the landlord. Once steps are taken to collect payment, the tenant who continues to refuse to pay must be removed from the rental. The landlord must always keep clear records of tenant payments in order to be able to use the legal system to evict the tenant who won't pay. By law, the tenant must be given a written notice of eviction. Once this is done, if the tenant still refuses to pay, it is time to submit the request for eviction.

The third issue that property managers must deal with is tenants who refuse to respect their neighbor's rights of quiet enjoyment. The first thing that a landlord can do when dealing with a noisy or disrespectful tenant is to call the tenant and request a change in behavior. If this does not solve the problem, the best thing a landlord can do is call the neighbor and request that they contact the police if the problem persists.

Aside from handling bad tenants, landlords must be sure that they avoid engaging in any behavior that might land them in hot water. The first thing that must be avoided is intentional or unintentional discrimination. Tenants have certain rights when choosing housing and the landlord must be careful not to discriminate against these rights. That said, property managers are indeed allowed to check their tenant's backgrounds, and this is recommended because it will greatly assist the landlord's ability to find stable tenants. Landlords should also try to avoid offering promised to the tenant that he can not keep.

A landlord can prevent some of these issues by ensuring that his/her property is clean and repair-free. When problems arise, it is best for the landlord to solve the problem in a timely manner. Having clear rental contracts, not making promises that cannot be kept, and making sure to keep the rental properties in good working order will help solve most problems between tenants and landlords.

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