Troubling Tenants – Common Issues and How To Manage Them

When it comes to responding to problems – disputes from or about your tenants – you need to take control of the situation in a calm and professional manner.

Prevention is always the best option but sometimes life changes, outside of our control affect tenants and turn them bad.
In those rare cases when things go wrong we need to quickly address the situation in order to prevent further losses.

In todays post we are discussing what we can do when tenants turn bad, what are the steps we need to take to get our property back?

Prevention is always the best way to manage bad tenants – There are several ways that landlords can help to ensure their tenant screening process weeds out the problem tenants. However, life changes can turn a great tenant into a nightmare in those cases we have some advice on how to handle affairs.

What is a bad tenant?

Someone not paying rent, whether because they can’t afford it or they may be withholding rent for some reason. Tenants constantly damaging property, or causing disturbances such as noise.

So what do we do about them?

Investigate and Analyze:

Does this require an emergency response?

What prompted this? Observation from neighbour, personal observation, tenant prompted.

Document it. Have the complainant put their views in writing.

Evaluate potential loss:

Rent

Property Damage

Tenant turnover

Determine Response:

Friendly reminder

Negotiate

Warning Notice

14 day notice

Mediation/Tribunal Lodging

We suggest any response and discussion is done in writing. Remember anything in writing is open to interpretation. Stick to the facts, don’t say more than required.

It’s very important in heated situations that you take charge and document everything. If you ever feel unsafe visiting the property or dealing with a tenant hand the issue over to another party whether it be tribunal or a property management company. It is not worth your stress or safety.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is exclusively for promotional purposes and is not to be relied upon for legal or contractual dealings. Tenant Source recommends you seek independent legal advice, and that you may need to seek technical or other advice and information prior to making any actions in regards to tenancies in your investment properties. Tenant Source Ltd including its staff and directors accepts no responsibility for any issues arising as a result of taking advice from this publication.