Understanding how to expertly and composedly handle landlord and tenant conflicts is a fundamental part of property management. Although the vast majority stray away from confrontation, it could be your job as a landlord to settle any situations. So, let’s go over the best ways to resolve landlord-tenant conflicts.
What Can Cause Landlord-Tenant Conflicts?
Various elements and circumstances can prompt landlord-tenant conflicts. As you can picture, property owners and tenants don’t constantly agree. What can cause landlord-tenant disputes?
Conflicts among tenants and landlords most commonly appear with mistaken lease assumptions or contrasts in how each person interprets the lease. For instance, assuming a lease states that pets are permitted but doesn’t clarify how many or what kind can prompt a substantial conflict between landlords and tenants. Accordingly, as a landlord, it’s critical to be as explicit as possible while making rules and obligations in the lease.
In these instances, the limit on the number of pets permitted and types of breeds are allowed to handle pet damages in your rental property. (Be sure to check with your insurance company to see if they have restrictions on breeds) At that point, it ultimately depends on the tenant to consent to the lease.
Security Deposit Misunderstandings
Misunderstandings with a tenant’s security deposit are pervasive. Tenants anticipate getting their full deposit back in the wake of moving out more often than not. In any case, landlords might choose to keep the deposit due to damages to the rental home.
If there are damages to the property, landlords need to send their tenants an itemized list of damages with the amount it will cost to fix. Often, landlords will take this cost straight from the tenant’s security deposit. To begin with, landlords should tell the tenant why they are keeping their deposit and, if possible, develop solutions solvable by the tenant.
In some rare cases, if the tenant thinks or knows they will be losing their security deposit before moving out, they may cause more damage to the property as retaliation. Be mindful when using security deposit as leverage; it may not work to your advantage in the long run.
Damages to the Property
When developing your lease agreement, including what you consider normal wear and tear vs. property damage caused by the tenant. This will assist with making a daily rundown and seasonal upkeep responsibilities for tenants. For instance, some regular upkeep might include:
- Keeping the unit clean and sanitary at all times
- Taking out the trash or other waste regularly
- Keeping common areas free of clutter or safety hazards
Some seasonal upkeep may consist of:
- Keeping pathways and driveways shoveled during winter months
- Raking leaves during the fall
- Mowing the lawn regularly
Assuming that your tenant neglects to keep up with these simple requests, it could cause damage or become a risk to your property, which in turn, may cause conflict.
Breaking the Lease Early
Another common conflict is when a tenant breaks the lease before it terminates. This breach causes many issues for landlords, like looking for new tenants or handling bills in the unfilled unit.
Most tenants don’t understand the effect of leaving a lease early, including keeping their entire security deposit to cover the expenses of replacing them.
Conflicts can arise among landlords and tenants for various reasons. In any case, part of being a fortunate landlord is settling disputes expertly. Take a look at ways to keep a peaceful lease or resolve a conflict accurately.
How Can You Avoid Conflict with Tenants?
Conflict with tenants is unavoidable. Still, landlords should avoid strain and unnecessary disputes with tenants. Take a look over some ways that landlords can prevent conflict with tenants.
The way to settle or possibly limit conflict is excellent communication. Begin your landlord-tenant relationship with fantastic communication and with a well throughout the tenant screening process. It is vital to keep the same process for each potential tenant to avoid possible discrimination suits.
Also, you can review the lease during a tenant interview to guarantee there aren’t any misunderstandings or questions. On the chance, they do address any issues immediately to avoid conflicts later on.
Fill Your Rental Property on Your Terms
Most landlords will probably run into circumstances where they are short on money and need to fill a property. With that in mind, it tends to be challenging to watch your property sit empty without generating cash flow. Still, it’s crucial to fill your rental property based on your tenant screening process.
Showcasing your property correctly on the proper channels allows more renters to become interested in living there. When you have a large pool of applicants, you can decide who will be the best match for you and your property. Remember that all landlords must follow all Fair Housing regulations.
Thoroughly Review the Lease Agreement
Although it’s a guarantee, landlords should make themselves completely aware of what’s written in the lease agreement. Ineffectively and poorly-worded leases or unclear rules and responsibilities can rapidly spark conflict between landlords and tenants.
Express your expectations clearly and audit the lease before the tenant moves in to avoid lease misunderstandings. If there is a shared awareness of the entire lease agreement, conflicts are less likely to occur in the future.
Take Photo Evidence
A direct way to avoid conflict is to have photo proof of everything. For instance, landlords should take photos of the property before the tenant moves in to know if the tenant damaged it while it was occupied.
Also, tenants should take photos of maintenance problems or necessary repairs as they arise. That considered, during the occupancy, landlords, and tenants should both record damages and repairs. This way, there is a clear difference between tenant-caused damage and normal wear and tear.
Keep All Documents Close By
While photos are an incredibly convenient method to report issues in your rental, keeping each of your essential documents on hand is one way to avoid conflict. Both landlords and tenants should keep their lease agreement convenient and any other fundamental paperwork for the rental.
If you have documentation of everything, it’s challenging to develop a reasonable argument. Fortunately, if you don’t already have a property management solution, DeBaise Property Management can keep all your necessary records in one place.
How Can You Resolve a Disagreement Properly?
Assume a conflict or misunderstanding with one of your tenants arises; it could end in one of two ways—good or bad. That considered, landlords should do everything they can to resolve an argument appropriately. If not, severe issues could develop further down the road.
As expressed previously, the ideal way to resolve conflict is by communicating effectively. Keeping a fair and open line of communication with tenants can assist them with feeling heard and more open to reporting issues. Still, on the off chance you’ve never met your tenants or spoken with them directly, critical problems could emerge without your knowledge.
That considered, if you end up getting into a conflict with a tenant, it’s necessary to stay calm. Despite the difficulty, becoming upset with one of your tenants could prompt even more critical issues. Remaining sincere with tenants during any involvement is your smartest choice for an effective landlord-tenant relationship.
How Can You Build a Quality Landlord-Tenant Relationship?
Of all the ways to be an effective landlord, creating a quality relationship with your tenants is one of the most important. Fortunately, you can depend on your local property management group to assist you with developing the relationship you want with your tenants.
DeBaise Property Management’s certified experts are ready and proven to assist you in effectively managing your rental business. If you need help keeping up with tenant communication, financial reports, or simply the daily tasks of your rental property, contact us today. We offer property management services in New Haven, Middlesex, and Hartford Counties.
