If you’ve ever had renters that give you a headache, don’t worry–you’re not alone. In fact, bad renters can be a property owner’s worst nightmare. They may damage your assets, never pay rent on time, or bring other issues to your doorstep that make life difficult. While it might seem like there’s no end in sight, there are specific ways to deal with problem renters that’ll help minimize the long-term effects they cause.
Smart Tips for Property Owners in Baltimore
In Baltimore County, nearly half of all housing units are rented, so property owners have their hands full when it comes to dealing with tenants. To avoid problems down the road, follow these practical steps when renting your home. If issues do arise, we offer some additional advice.
Proactively Screening Renters
Being proactive in screening tenants is the best way to avoid bad renters. This includes running background checks and credit checks, as well asking for references. By taking these steps, you can remove potential problem tenants before they move in.
A background check searches for a renter’s criminal history, while a credit check displays their financial responsibility. References can provide information on a renter’s rental history and character.
By running background and credit checks on all applicants, you can ensure that you are being consistent and fair in your screening process. This will help protect you from any potential accusations of discrimination.
Spending the time to carefully screen tenants upfront can save you a lot of headaches later on. By getting rid of bad renters before they move in, you can avoid problems down the road. Another way to weed out potential problems is by holding an open house and meeting potential renters face-to-face; this way, you can get a much better sense about what type of person they’ll be as a tenant.
Make Sure Your Rental Agreement is Clear and Concise
Having a well-written and detailed rental agreement is key to avoiding problems with bad renters. This document should include all expectations of tenants in regards to rent payments, property damage, and other important issues. Having a clear rental agreement can help prevent misunderstandings that could lead to future problems. Although state law may vary, there are some essential parts of a rental agreement that should never be omitted. These include:
- Rent amount & due date
- Lease term
- Security deposit amount
- Utilities included
- Description of property
- Parking information
- House rules
- A pre-rental walk through with the renter is conducted to document any damages that already exist. This information can be used at the end of the lease agreement to help determine how much damage was done by the renter and whether any money from their security deposit will be kept for repairs or returned.
- Signature lines for all parties involved
Be Responsive to Complaints and Concerns of Renters
If you want to avoid having difficult tenants, it’s important that you listen to and address any complaints or concerns they have. If renters feel like their voices aren’t being heard, they’re more likely to act out in destructive ways. If you stay responsive to complaints and solve them expediently, you can prevent future issues. As a property owner, it’s in your best interest to hear out your tenants and help with their appropriate requests and complaints. Here are some tips on how to handle renter’s requests and complaints effectively:
- Renting from a professional property management company
- Hiring a competent superintendent
- Establish clear channels of communication between yourself and your tenants
- Addressing tenant concerns quickly and in a professional manner
- Respecting your tenants’ privacy
- Following up after you’ve addressed a request or complaint
- Thanking your tenants for their feedback.
By taking these steps, you can make sure that your tenants’ needs are being met and that they are having the best possible experience.
Have Detailed Records
if you have to sue or evict a renter, having records of their bad actions (e.g., missed payments, damage) will come in handy. You should also keep tabs on your interactions with the tenant by date and time, noting down how you communicated as well as their response (or lack thereof).
Take Action When Needed
Although it’s difficult, you may have to take action against bad renters by issuing warnings or terminating their lease agreement. Doing this protects your property and interests.
Terminate The Lease Agreement And Sell The Property
If you have photographic or video evidence that your tenants are in violation of the lease, you can break said lease. According to Maryland state law, if a renter does not pay their rent on time, the property owner has the right to issue an unconditional quit notice. This notice gives the tenant 10 days before eviction proceedings may begin. You can read more about the Landlord-Tenant laws in Maryland here. If you’re considering evicting your tenant, think about selling the property for cash instead. It may be a better option if the property is damaged, in disrepair, or doesn’t seem like it’s worth investing any more money into. At Pro Property Solutions, we buy houses like this in Baltimore County as-is. We can make you an offer within 24 hours and if you accept it, we can usually close the deal within a week. With Pro Property Solutions, you don’t have to clean up, or repair your property before selling–we buy it as-is! Plus, our no hidden costs or fees policy removes any fear of the unknown from the home-selling process. Skeptical about “We Buy Houses” Companies? Find out the biggest myths spread about these types of businesses. To learn more about us, check out our website where we have a great reputation for helping people in many situations when they need to sell their homes quickly for cash. By calling and asking for a no-obligation all cash offer, you really have nothing to lose! Call today at 443-775-2768