Most when times a Landlord hears from a Tenant it’s in the form of a complaint, and believe it or not, Tenants oftentimes hold back on complaints to avoid confrontation or for fear of retribution. This is what usually happens: The good always-pays-their-rent-on-time tenants move, some simmer with frustration until they feel a lawsuit is the sole course of action, others destroy someone else’s property to express their feelings, and the few and far between put up and shut up.
A professional property management company will be in frequent and open communication with tenants, thereby lessening the probability of any of the above scenarios from occurring. For the DIY Landlord, the following is a list of common complaints Landlords need to know. Long term Tenants are an asset well worth protecting, and it’s never too late to start.
Condition of Property and Appliances. Leaking roofs, broken windows, and drafty doors that don’t shut properly are unacceptable and need to be fixed yesterday, no matter the season or time of year. A Landlord may view a non-functioning garage door opener as an inconvenience; then mix in question of fault or cause. Now, the less than speedy replacement is added to the Tenant’s tally of complaints. The best way for Landlords to manage maintenance and repairs is with clear and open communication with Tenants.
Mold, Cockroaches, and Other Pesty Things. No one wants a rat infestation or black mold in their home — neither Landlords nor Tenants. Quick resolutions are common, and if not, legal recourse is rightfully recommended. Tenant complaints also come from a Landlord not being forthcoming about the problems before a lease or rental agreement was signed. Another complaint is Tenants not being informed about the scheduling of tenting buildings or other fixes that require moving out of their homes.
Lack of Heat. Guess what? Heat is a basic need, and Landlords are required to provide it for Tenants even if they live in the Sonoran Desert. During the frigid temperatures of winter across most of the United States, a mal- or nonfunctioning heater is an urgent matter. While air conditioning is not considered a basic need, if one is part of the lease then the Landlord must keep it in good working order.
Other Utilities. There is no one rule for utilities in rental agreements. For example, some cover all utilities, some cover only trash and water, and others stipulate nada. Needless to say, this can serve as a source of misunderstanding and ill will between Landlords and Tenants when, say, the electricity isn’t turning on because a certain someone didn’t pay the bill or the gardener inadvertently clipped the illegal wiring.
Safety Concerns. Safety concerns often overlap with poor conditions of the property and/or its amenities, such as a gate lock that disappeared. Other safety concerns include situations like the new Tenant in the next-door unit rooming with a vicious dog.
Security Deposit. Does a security deposit work double time as a cleaning deposit? What’s normal wear and tear? The return of a security deposit is a mishmash of “in the eyes of the beholder,” i.e., the Landlord’s, and local laws. Wear and tear are expected; not returning a security deposit due to it is not. Landlords need to know the legalities governing rentals in the jurisdiction where their investment property is located, and act accordingly.
Discrimination. Discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, country of origin, and other factors is against the law when an applicant is trying to rent a home and during the lease period — even if the Landlord didn’t intend it.
Any of the above are surefire ways to sour a Landlord-Tenant relationship. As tensions rise, so does the likelihood of retaliation or taking matters into one’s own hands, for example, a Tenant withholding rent until something is fixed or a Landlord changing the locks on a tenant. Before pursuing any further resolution of their own, both DIY Landlords and Tenants are advised to seek legal counsel. Check your state’s resources for a guide to Tenants and Landlords rights and responsibilities.
A property management company worth its salt will prevent these types of situations. Place Tenants has a solid reputation built on fostering mutually beneficial Landlord-Tenant relationships. We can help. Call 800-886-1193 or email [email protected] to find out how.
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