The stereotype of the uninvolved and uncaring landlord has been around for a very long time. While there are plenty of landlords who continue to behave in a way that fuels this stereotype, we are sure that you would love to improve the way your tenants view your relationship with them. By learning about some of the most common complaints, you will be able to avoid these situations with proactive behavior.
At Rental Research Services, we provide the complete resident screening solution you need to get an accurate rental history report. You want to find tenants who will be good for your rental property, and they likely want to find a landlord who will provide timely help when they need it. In today’s post, we’ll look at common tenant complaints and how you can handle them. Contact Rental Research Services today to see what we offer.
1. Maintenance Problems
Maintenance issues are actually one of the most common problems that tenants face. While it should be written clearly in the rental contract what steps the tenant should take to file a maintenance request, expected response time, and what to do in case of an emergency, you might want to go a step farther. Take time to verbally discuss the written points with your tenant before they sign a rental agreement to make sure that they are clear on what to expect. Likewise, make sure that you uphold your end of the agreement by providing timely and qualified service technicians.
If you had to deal with a broken appliance in your home for months on end, you would probably become extremely frustrated at both the situation and your lack of ability to fix it. Remember that your renter is expected to abide by the rental contract, which means they cannot fix appliances on their own. The more proactive you are in addressing maintenance issues, the better your relationship should be with your tenant.
2. Poor Communication
Poor communication can make a bad situation worse. If your tenant notifies you through email that there is a broken fixture in their residence and you don’t respond, then the problem will not be adequately addressed, the appliance will likely still be broken, and you will create the appearance of a landlord who does not care to listen to your tenants’ problems.
Good tenants are hard to find, which means that if you don’t respond in a timely manner, then you are likely to lose them to another landlord who values and respects tenants. Always respond to your tenants, even if you simply need to tell them that you don’t have an answer at the moment. They will appreciate the time you took to let them know you care about their problem.
3. Pest Infestation
Pests can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. From rodents to stinging insects, no one wants to have these situations near their living space. The longer you delay in addressing the issue, the more quickly it will get out of hand, especially if it is an apartment complex. The best thing to do is to call an exterminator right away to assess the situation. They can determine the extent of the problem and notify you as to any necessary follow-up appointments. Don’t forget to let your tenant know that you have a professional coming to address the problem, especially if it means they need to temporarily be away from the residence.
4. Proper Notification
Your tenant may be renting a residence from you, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t respect their privacy and personal space. Whether you need to go into the residence to address a problem they requested assistance with, or you need to perform a routine inspection, always remember to give them advance notice.
One of the worst mistakes you could make would be to enter their residence without their knowledge. Not only are they likely to be angry at the intrusion, but you could also create legal difficulties for yourself. Unless there is an emergency, you are required to provide them with a minimum of 24 hours notice before entering the premises. If possible, try giving them even more advance notice, which they are sure to appreciate.
5. False Advertising
If you own a home that you want to rent by the room, it can be tempting to advertise that you have more bedrooms than the home actually does. To stay on the right side of the law, make sure that you are familiar with the legal requirements for a bedroom for the state you’re in. Some of the requirements you might be expected to check include:
- Square footage
- Two means of exit
- Minimum ceiling height
- Cooling and heating element
- Minimum window size
At Rental Research Services, we can provide the comprehensive resident screening you need to get the rental history reports, which should lead you to the best tenants possible. We hope that our advice on how to resolve some of the most common tenant complaints will be beneficial to you as a landlord. Please contact Rental Research Services today to start your screening process.