While real estate rentals offer excellent opportunities for passive income, they also come with various responsibilities. Among these is making sure that tenants abide by the rules of the building or property. But what do you do with tenants who are displaying problematic behavior? From flouting rental policy agreements to fighting with other tenants or neighbors, problematic behavior is something that you may need to address from time to time.
5 General Tips on How to Confront Tenants About Problematic Behavior
Set clear expectations
Make sure that maintenance expectations are spelled out in the contract, and you have a clear acknowledgment that your tenants understand what the policies mean. Do this before the tenant moves in. You might consider printing out a condensed version of your rental policies, maintenance expectations, and Do’s and Don’ts to give to the tenant on move-in day. Include a list of your legal obligations so your tenants also have a good idea about what to expect from you as the property owner. This is one way to reduce the number of unreasonable requests from tenants who have a tendency to complain frequently.
Enforce policies consistently and firmly
Even if the rules are clearly spelled out, if you aren’t firm when it comes to enforcement, your tenants won’t take you seriously. Be firm. After all, you can always refer to rental and maintenance policies when your tenants start to protest. It is also important to hold all tenants to the same guidelines if you have multiple renters in one complex. The same rules apply to all, regardless of their situation or excuses.
Be professional in your communication
If you need to schedule a meeting to address certain behaviors or policy violations, it helps to be professional. Send a written notice or an official invitation for a sit-down meeting to discuss these violations in person.
Come to the conversation prepared
Document everything that can support the fact that the problematic behavior exists. It is also good to get statements from other people who can confirm that the problematic behavior has been displayed. By coming to the conversation prepared, you have a greater chance of convincing the tenant to change his behavior. Proof of this sort will also come in handy when you need to start eviction proceedings.
Assess the tenant and act accordingly
Is the tenant prone to violent outbursts? In that case, it might be better to engage in conversation only when you have backup around like security personnel or even the police ready to assist you, so a professional email might be a better option. If you think your tenant is someone you can have a sensible conversation with, then dial down the precautions as needed. Always look for signs that point to an increased risk of danger to yourself so you can prepare accordingly.
It is a good idea to set expectations before renters move in. Make sure your policies are clear and easily understood. Take time to communicate with your tenants and cultivate positive relationships with them to help prevent future conflict. At the same time, be ready to document everything, just in case issues arise. Better yet, work with a professional property management team that can handle these types of issues for you.
The Specialized Property Management Orlando team is well-trained in handling difficult rental management situations. We can help you enforce your policies and make sure that your property is safe and that your revenue stream keeps flowing. Call us today at 407-698-3322 or contact us online for more information.
