How to Deal with Problematic Tenants

Just like love, tenants also come in different shapes and sizes. This means, as a landlord, you might have to know how to deal with them. The main aim is to keep them happy, paying, and on good terms with each other. But that’s easier said than done. We all know that people are complicated and carry their own baggage to whatever environment there are placed in. If you are an experienced landlord or have aspirations to be one, then you ought to have some tricks and tips under your toolbelt. This will help you carry most of the burdens thrown by complicated tenants. Lashing out and eviction are not the only solutions. The playbook of options is endless. 

Remember, evictions cut deeper. They cost you time, money, and energy to conduct. Here are some better solutions and ideas.

1. Structure Payment Options

Why? because paying rent is not always easy. If we look at the math, then you will see that a large portion of the United States are living paycheck to paycheck. They are waiting upon their employees to pay them at the end of the month. This factor will spill into rent payments. 

When you do the math, you will see that the average American has bills to pay, may be living paycheck to paycheck and may have unmet financial needs and wants. This is something that should concern your head and should be met with great care. 

Treat your tenants with care and tenderness. Approach them with the mindset of re-negotiation. The last thing you want is to be forceful. The best way to do this is to use structured payment. This is preferably on a weekly basis before the month ends or even a daily basis. If you see the tenant is willing to go the extra mile, then negotiate the terms to even pay the rent fully after the whole year. 

Setting a strict payment plan and follow-up to ensure the tenant is compliant. Understand that the tenant with financial problems will need flexibility rather than constricted terms in a lease.

2. Allow Tenants to Solve Problems

There might be issues among tenants or complaints about security and maintenance. The usual approach is to jump to a conclusion and dive into the problem yourself. Sure, that might help in the short term but it will create extra tension and a form of “authority” over your tenants. It’s better to step in only when necessary. 

Let your tenants solve the disputes among themselves.  You can start by stating in the lease agreement that each tenant in your building has the right to resolve disputes without your intervention. Include a message that your intervention might lead to eviction if one party is found guilty of particular wrongdoing. 

Stating clearly what the consequences may be in the future instills fear in a good way. Furthermore, it encourages autonomy and innovation in solving the problems faced. This creates a system of DIYers in your building, saves you time and energy and tenants get along and respect each other over time.

If you are dealing with ever-complaining tenants, then constantly remind of the lease agreement. Ensure the agreement is structured with details of who is responsible of solving what problem. This will clearly define and give you leverage to point it out when tenants feel like it’s your responsibility to step up to a certain issue.

3. Document the Property’s Condition

Tenants might cause damage when they host parties or for a number of other reasons. In this case, you must have a backup plan. Experienced property managers will tell you that the solution is to take photos of the property and have a well-detailed yet brief description of the property damage. 

This means that you take account of what your property looks like before, during, and after the tenant has used it. It’s also good to talk about this documentation with your tenant. This will keep them in check and ensure the maintenance of the building in the long term. It will also help you conduct routine inspections as you are able to compare with initial documentation and make necessary adjustments. Creating accountability helps to keep the property in peak condition.

If you see the tenant is not matching up to the standard, then you need to tell them earlier. Otherwise, they might refuse the sudden pressing of terms and conditions of the lease agreement.