As a property owner, you may have the unfortunate situation of having bad tenants. If they are especially onerous, you need to find a way to eliminate bad tenants. For any landlord, troublesome tenants can make your job a true challenge. From their late monthly rent payments to the careless treatment of the property – it is all too common for owners to face difficult resolutions with occupants.
Asking a tenant to comply with the terms of their lease is reasonable, yet only sometimes achievable. Defining a bad tenant can be complex since you’d encounter numerous issues – such as unpunctual rent payments and hidden pets – that can give you countless headaches.
To gain insight into what types of problems may arise and ways to navigate tricky situations, we have prepared an informative list below for you! Read further for greater clarity and understanding about problem tenants and how best to handle them.
Getting Rid of Bad Tenants
Renters have lawful control of the rental property they rent during their lease period, which is great when everything runs smoothly. But it can also be challenging if something changes in your rental situation.
If it’s time for you to move on from bad tenants or sell the property, don’t feel like eviction is your only option. Eviction not only takes a toll on your bank account and well-being but also consumes considerable amounts of time. Fortunately, there are ways that you can get rid of tenants without having to go through an arduous process of eviction!
You must communicate clearly if you’re trying to get a tenant out of your property before their lease is up. There’s no need for subtlety, and utilizing blackmail or other manipulative tactics against tenants is illegal.
Even though tenants don’t always stay the same, it’s possible to solve any problem you’re facing by communicating with your tenant clearly and concisely. Both parties will benefit when an effort is made to understand one another.
Words of Warning About Bad Tenants
How do you know that you have bad tenants? If you’re searching for a tenant to rent your property, watch out for these 7 warning signs indicating they might be bad tenants.
Issues with the application
Filling out an application for a landlord or property manager is like providing your credit card data. It’s part of the process, and it’s completely legal. Suppose someone refuses to complete an application form. This could signal that they have something hidden in their past, which might cause difficulty since they expect special treatment rather than following protocol. Tenant screening using an application saves time and money in the future.
Bad credit
Completing a credit check will provide insight into the prospective tenant’s past payment habits and whether they have ever had an eviction on their record. Financial mismanagement is, unfortunately, a warning sign that you will have to continually remind your tenants of their most fundamental obligation: paying rent on the first day of each month.
Cash for rent payments
Tenants who prefer to pay in cash are often problematic. They typically acquire these funds illegally and don’t use a bank account to remain undetected. They may intend to use the property for illegal activities. Therefore, one essential warning sign: refuse any application from those offering up cash payments!
Tenants in a hurry
It’s common for tenants to receive their lease renewal 3-6 months before expiration. However, suppose you stumble across someone rushing to take up tenancy while still tied into another landlord with an active agreement. In that case, this could indicate looming eviction or other complications. Be cautious when dealing with such scenarios, and perform your due diligence before signing any contracts.
Often, individuals willing to commit to paying a six months rent upfront or wave their money around come up in the search. But don’t be fooled by this! It is necessary and responsible for potential tenants to start looking for an apartment at least three to four months prior. There can be exceptions, such as those needing accommodation quickly due to job relocation, but this would not usually apply.
Lying about references
I’m not claiming to know that they’re fabricating these numbers; however, their references may be relatives, colleagues, or friends. While conducting a reference check and you sense the respondent is embellishing information about your prospective tenants— dodging questions or appearing unaware of what you’re asking—these should be significant warning signs.
Lying about income
To ensure that a tenant can meet the financial requirements of renting, they must have an annual income three times their intended rental amount. Unfortunately, some prospective tenants might provide false information on their applications; not everyone may know this requirement.
Frequent mover
Taking these applications seriously and asking pertinent questions is vital to get the entire story. While there might be a valid reason for their frequent moves, it could also reveal an underlying issue; they may have been evicted or are excessively demanding tenants who never seem content.
Landlords’ Rights With Bad Tenants
To get rid of terrible tenants from your property without going to court, you must first be aware of your state’s landlord and tenant’s rights. Knowing these will help make this situation much smoother for everyone involved.
Both federal and state-level laws exist to safeguard tenants from unscrupulous landlords. Even though you are not trying to evict your occupants unfairly, these rules still dictate how far you can go regarding leasing practices.
As a landlord, you have the power to:
- Sell your property for maximum value.
- Remodel it in any way you see fit.
- Evict tenants who are not abiding by their lease agreement with you.
- Cancel agreements early if all parties involved consent to it.
Terminating a tenant’s lease agreement is not permissible simply because you do not like them or for leasing to someone who will pay higher rent. Refusal to adhere to any terms agreed upon in the contract by either party constitutes a breach.
Despite this, you can still find ways to make your tenant depart without having to evict them. For legal purposes and out of respect for the tenant, these methods should only be used if changes in business or inappropriate behaviors must take place – not just because of a personal grudge.
How to Get Rid of Bad Tenants
When you have the misfortune of dealing with difficult tenants, it can quickly become a costly nightmare. You may face thousands of costs, such as months worth of unpaid rent, legal help to navigate an eviction case and court proceedings, repair expenses for property damage, and, more significantly, vast amounts of time wasted attempting to resolve the issues.
Here are some creative ways to help you get rid of a bad tenant:
Raising the Rent
Do your tenants bother you without any clear breach of the lease? Maybe they cause a nuisance or constantly pester you with trivial requests.
If you’re not looking to break your lease with your tenants but don’t want them around anymore, try a more subtle approach, like dramatically increasing their rent the next time their lease comes up for renewal. That way, they will have to move out naturally if they can no longer afford it.
Additionally, verify local and state codes, as some regions limit the rent a landlord can raise in one go. Moreover, if you have an established fixed-term rental agreement with a specified expiration date, the rent cannot be submitted before that day.
Non-Renewal of a Bad Tenant’s Lease
Generally, it’s best to craft a courteous, professionally composed message expressing that the lease won’t be renewed. Show your gratitude for their tenancy and elucidate upon move-out procedures (including an inspection regarding the property’s condition upon departure. Stress how they can guarantee receipt of their security deposit once all is said and done!
Above all, ensure that you send out non-renewal notices within the time frame specified by your respective state – this could be anywhere from 30 to 90-day notice or even more.
Threaten Legal Proceedings
You can provide written notice that they’ve breached lease terms by non-payment or other actions. Should immediate payment not be made, it will result in a lawsuit being filed against them along with adverse credit reporting, collections activity, and garnished wages. Deficiency judgments may also be pursued to recover any remaining balance due on the account.
Ensure your message is unmistakable: tenants will face eviction proceedings if they do not remedy their lease violations and leave voluntarily.
To ensure success, you must clarify that your lease agreement is not up for negotiation and serve an eviction notice as soon as rent becomes late. Following the required waiting period, quickly file in court to complete evicting the tenant.
Offer Cash for Keys
Compared to the costly and lengthy eviction process, wouldn’t it be more budget-friendly and quicker to give your tenants a $500 incentive for vacating by next weekend?
If your tenant fails to pay their rent, you can either embark on a long and arduous journey through eviction court or offer them an incentive for vacating the premises early. This way, they won’t be living in your property free of charge for the next few months.
Nevertheless, if you are offering cash for keys, it is imperative to establish explicit parameters. The money should only be handed over when the tenant has left the premises in pristine condition – as they would have had to do so if expecting their deposit back upon vacating.
Conclusion
Experiencing the hassle of a tenant who fails to pay rent or you want to sell your property yet being held back by said tenant is excruciatingly infuriating. You can understand why evicting them seems the only option – but it doesn’t have to be!
If you’re considering selling your house or real estate, why not consider a credible home-buying company like We Buy Houses For Cash?
We can quickly and professionally manage tenant-related issues, relieving all your burdens. We will handle bad tenants easily and simplify your selling experience. Though this option may not get you top dollar for your property, it eliminates all potential risks associated with dealing with an uncooperative tenant later on down the line.
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