It’s logical for a landlord to assume that a tenant will follow the rules, like paying the rent on time and taking care of the house. Most tenants are respectful, but every now and then you’ll get a bad one. Let’s take a look at some things that make up a bad tenant, how you can deal with them, and how to avoid them so your Youngstown property doesn’t get damaged further.
What Makes a Tenant Bad?
Most landlords would agree that a bad tenant does one or more of these things:- Pays rent late or none at all
- Refuses to pay a late fee when rent isn’t paid on time
- Damages the property beyond normal wear and tear, either accidentally or on purpose
- Doesn’t keep the house clean, resulting in mold or pests
- Violates lease terms, like having an unauthorized pet or smoking in an unauthorized place
- Breaches homeowner rules and regulations by having loud parties, parking illegally, or otherwise disrespecting the neighbors
- Engages in illegal activity on, around, or in the building
- Will not leave when the lease is up, forcing the landlord to evict them
What to Do with Bad Tenants in Youngstown
To avoid turning into a “bad landlord,” stay cool, calm, and collected when dealing with a bad tenant. Here’s how to deal with them in common situations:#1: Late rent payment
Everyone forgets to pay a bill every now and then. Consider using an online rent payment system to help tenants pay on time. A lot of rent payment services are free for landlords to use, send automatic reminders when rent is due, and prevent tenants from paying partial rent.#2: Rule breakers
Tenants can be discouraged from breaking the rules by:
- Specifying who can occupy the rental
- Performing routine interior property inspections and periodic property drive-bys, including weekends and evenings
- Telling a tenant what could happen if they break the rules, like being evicted
- Requiring a tenant to get renters insurance to cover property loss and accidents
#3: Property damage
Every landlord wants to avoid having a bad tenant who damages their Youngstown property on purpose. Bad tenants have been known to destroy carpeting, break windows, and even intentionally block drains. You can protect a rental property from excessive damage caused by a bad tenant by doing these things:- As an incentive for tenants to take care of the property, collect a refundable security deposit.
- Document the property’s condition when a new tenant moves in with a move-in checklist which includes photos or videos.
- Discuss with the tenant how to request repairs and keep the house clean.
Provide the tenant with proper notice before conducting routine inspections of the property. - During an inspection, point out any excessive damage to the tenant and the potential consequences, such as being charged for repairs, losing their security deposit, or being asked to leave.
What if the House is Beyond Repair?
Sometimes, when a tenant leaves, you’ll find out that the house is in a state of disrepair. And you might think that you are better off selling the property than spending on repairs. You might think that selling a house involves putting up the house on a listing platform and hiring a real estate agent to handle all the promotion and paperwork for you. However, that might be an additional cost on your end. In that case, selling to a cash home buyer in Youngstown is a great option for you. All you have to do is call them and provide information on your home. They’ll offer a cash offer which you can accept on your chosen schedule. They can then take the property from you without requiring repairs.Sell Your House for Cash Today!
Planning to sell your house fast in Youngstown, OH? Access Homebuyers can help.
Whether you’re dealing with bad tenants, facing foreclosure, or just have a house you don’t need, we’ll take it off your hands quickly. All it takes is a message or a call, and you’ll receive a fair cash offer on your home.
After that, the ball is in your court. You can choose to accept our offer, and once you do, we’ll close within 14 weeks. You’ll receive the cash, and you can start fresh right away.
Contact us today to learn more about our homebuying service.