How to Handle Challenging Tenants
The ideal tenant pays rent on time, proactively takes care of your rental property and follows the terms of your lease agreement. Not every tenant is going to be perfect, however. We get a lot of calls from landlords who are having issues with tenants and they’re not sure what to do. Either they are not seeing eye-to-eye on certain policies and expectations; or maybe maintenance requests are above the normal frequency; or there are other situations causing headaches. Regardless of the reason, however, landlords must handle all situations professionally just like with any business.
Avoid Emotional Responses
It’s not uncommon for a landlord to get emotional when they face a difficult tenant because they are so invested in their property. That can impair judgment. Our advice is to allow time to cool down or give it some thought from the tenant’s perspective. It’s best to leave emotion out of your conversations and decisions whenever possible.
Communicate with Tenants
Communication is very important. We recommend that if things get complicated with your tenants, and you continue to face difficulties, schedule a face-to-face meeting. Go to the property and do a complete walk through with your tenant so you can understand and address your tenant’s needs better. Sometimes, tenants just need to be heard and acknowledged. A little bit of effort can go a long way.
Treat Your Rental Property Like a Business
Remember that your income property is a business. If your judgment is clouded by an emotional response, smart decisions can be hard to make. That can lead to legal problems and costly mistakes. Having the right tenant in place will go a long way towards avoiding these situations, so take your tenant screening process seriously. Once you have that tenant in there, maintain professionalism and treat your tenant and your property like a business owner would treat a customer. You need good communication and set clear expectations. Handle all maintenance responsibilities regardless of your personal opinions of that tenant.
Finding a Resolution
If the situation is just not working out, you may have the option of giving your tenant notice to move out. This usually requires a 60 day notice period or a just cause for eviction, but be aware that almost every city has specific regulations regarding eviction. It is important to be sure you are following the laws in your area.
Property managers can provide a valuable buffer between property owners and tenants. If you’d like to learn how MSB can help you avoid tenant headaches, please contact us for more information.