Being a landlord can be challenging, as dealing with difficult tenants is a frequent issue.
Anticipating the latter’s behaviour can be tricky, even with comprehensive background checks, so you must handle any problems with calm and balance.
This article will discuss dealing with bad tenants peacefully while protecting your property.
Preventative Measures
A strong lease agreement is one of the most important preventative measures for a landlord. It should be thorough, and every rule must be appropriately explained and underlined.
In Australia, the lease agreement must comply with local tenancy laws, and the basic rules should cover hygiene, rental payment penalties, criminal activity, pet ownership, property maintenance, and noise levels.
Moreover, you must have an independent inventory report to ensure the agreement is backed by facts. This gives you the right to protect your interests in case of rule violations by your tenants.
In addition to a strong lease agreement, it is crucial to screen prospective tenants thoroughly. Checking their credit history, employment situation, and rental history is part of this. You can also contact their previous landlords for references to understand their behaviour as tenants better.
That way, you can reduce the danger of renting to bad tenants.
Conduct Regular Inspections
Landlords should conduct regular inspections to ensure their rented property is adequately maintained.
You can define an inspection schedule, with most landlords typically settling for one every three to six months. This can be conveyed through the lease agreement or by written notice. You must provide tenants with adequate notice before the examination so that they can prepare.
Check for any damages or repairs that need to be made as you conduct the examination. This can include inspecting appliances like the air conditioner, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers and ensuring that the property is cared for by your standards.
Note any issues you discover during the inspection and handle them immediately. This will help you enhance your home and ensure that the property is in excellent condition and that tenants abide by the rules.
Communicate Clearly
Open communication is critical when you manage rental properties.
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure your tenants understand your rules and expectations. This involves providing them with a written copy of the lease agreement.
You might also have to explain any rules that aren't clear. The availability to answer questions that tenants may have can go a long way in sustaining a positive relationship.
It's also essential to establish a communication protocol with your tenants.
This can include providing a phone number or email address where tenants can reach you in case of an emergency and set specific hours when tenants can contact you with non-emergency issues.
Regular communication with tenants can help build trust and a positive relationship between landlord and tenant.
Provide Incentives
Providing incentives can be a great way to encourage tenants to take good care of your property.
There are many incentives that landlords can offer, including:
Rent discounts - Every once in a while, you can give tenants who pay on time, keep the property clean, and follow your rules a rent discount. This can be a small percentage off the monthly rent or a one-time deal.
Referral bonuses - You can offer a referral bonus to tenants who refer new renters to your property. This can be a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of the rent for a certain period of time.
Maintenance rewards - Last but not least, you can reward tenants who report maintenance issues (like growing mould) in a timely manner. Maybe a gift card or a discount on rent.
When landlords provide benefits like this, tenants have an easier time taking responsibility for upkeep and following the rules outlined in the lease agreement. This can lead to a positive relationship between landlord and tenant and a more successful rental business.
Dealing with Bad Tenants
If you have a bad tenant, following legal procedures when evicting them is crucial, for you cannot simply tell them to leave.
Instead, you must inform them of the eviction with a proper notice period per local tenancy laws. It's also crucial to send them a written notice and to make all communication official.
Before resorting to eviction, it's worth trying to sit down and talk to your tenants calmly. You can offer them a deal - if they vacate the property within a week and pay for any damage they've caused, you will not press charges against them. This is often an effective way to handle the situation peacefully.
However, eviction may be the only option if the tenants refuse to cooperate.
Keep in mind that eviction can be a lengthy and expensive process. Sometimes, tenants refuse to leave even after receiving legal notice.
In such situations, seek legal advice and work with a professional eviction service to ensure that you keep your side of the arrangement clear of law violations.
Protecting Your Property
Protecting your property from damage is another matter that needs your attention.
Before renting it out, ensure everything is in working order and meets minimum living standards. This includes functional appliances and furniture.
If you're unsure about the condition of your property, you can hire a company that offers inventory services to assess any repairs or upgrades that may be needed.
Another good idea is to work with a trustworthy lease cleaning company to ensure your property is pristine before new tenants move in.
Get insurance coverage for your property in addition to performing regular upkeep. It protects you from financial losses in the event of damage or theft. As part of the lease arrangement, you can also require your tenants to have renters insurance.
Conclusion
Dealing with bad renters is undoubtedly stressful.
By taking preventative measures like following legal procedures and communicating with your tenants openly, you better your chances of managing the situation peacefully while also protecting your property.
It is your responsibility as a landlord to ensure that your tenants respect your property and adhere to the agreed-upon rules. Reduce the risk of renting to bad tenants and maintain a successful rental business by proactively protecting your property and interests.
