Landlord Tenant Disputes - 3 Things You As A Landlord Can Do To Avoid Landlord Tenant Disputes
You purchase rental property so that you can make an income, whether it be a full-time income or just extra; when you envision your property rentals, it normally does not include Landlord Tenant Disputes. There are ways you can avoid disputes from occurring in the first place by ensuring you have all your ducks in a row, so-to-speak. Often, it is new landlords that find themselves in the midst of Landlord Tenant Disputes because they didn't use common sense or didn't document specific issues properly.
1. Have an Attorney or Solicitor
No one that owns a property ever likes to think about Landlord Tenant Disputes, but they happen and one way to keep yourself covered by the law is to make sure you have a lawyer that handles any lawsuits a tenant may bring against you. Easily done, new landlords often make the mistake that they have all the rights, but this isn't true in today's world. Having an attorney is very important because he or she can make sure all of your paperwork, such as leases are in accordance with the laws in your location. Today, tenants have more rights than ever and many are well aware of what is and isn't legal.
2. Keep the Property Well Maintained
Regardless whether you have a rental home or apartments, nothing will start Landlord Tenant Disputes faster than if you allow the property to go downhill and refuse to fix broken items in a tenant's home. Not only will your tenant begin to badger you about fixing that leak in the roof or the broken stove or whatever the dispute might be about, they can take legal action against you for failing to live up to your end of the lease agreement. Make sure you are familiar with the maintenance clause in your lease agreement and also understand the laws in your location that relate to repair and maintenance.
3. Security Deposits
Probably the most common Landlord Tenant Disputes are over the return of security deposits or bonds. Before a tenant moves in you ask them to pay a security deposit or bond, the tenant has a right to get it back providing they have complied with the terms in the lease, given proper notice (as outlined in the lease), and left the house or apartment clean and without damage other than normal wear and tear. These days as a landlord you cannot withhold the security deposit unless you can legally justify it. Many renters have become very savvy and will go through the apartment or home and video tape or take photos of how they have left the apartment or home. Tenants often feel the need to be able to show proof that they left your property in good condition. If the tenant is owed their security deposit and has followed the protocol, then you must, by law give them back their security deposit.
Final Thoughts
Often, Landlord Tenant Disputes can be avoided simply by following the lease agreement. If you are a tenant, make sure you understand your rights and what is in the lease before you sign it. If you are a landlord, make sure you understand what your own lease says, it is surprising, but many landlords have run into disputes because they did not know what is in their own lease.
About the Author
Landlord Tenant Disputes can often be avoided but when they do occur you need to know what to do. Check out our guide at http://landlordtenantproblems.org
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