As a landlord, there’s no better feeling than finding the perfect tenant. The person takes care of the property, always pays on time and is serious about following the terms and conditions of the lease.
Unfortunately, even if you have a good relationship with your tenant, things can turn sour without notice. While there’s no surefire way to prevent a dispute, here are some things you can do to keep your relationship on solid ground:
- Discuss the details of the lease up front: Both of you should have a clear idea of the many terms outlined in the lease. Address any of you tenant’s questions or concerns before they sign on the dotted line.
- Provide a safe environment: Don’t give your tenant reason to believe that you’re not providing a safe place for them to live. For example, regular inspections can go a long way in pinpointing problems that have the potential to cause harm.
- Make timely repairs: If something goes wrong with the property, no matter how big or small, make repairs as quickly as possible. Even if you’re unable to address the issue right away, share status updates with your tenant. Don’t give them reason to believe you’re stringing them along.
- Don’t invade your tenant’s privacy: Give your tenant at least 24 hours notice before entering a unit. If you continually invade your tenant’s privacy, it can result in a variety of problems.
- Ignoring eviction rules and laws: If you need to evict your tenant, read the lease for a clear idea of the steps you must take. Also, become familiar with the many laws that govern what you can and can’t do.
Even if you take these steps, you could still find yourself in the middle of a landlord-tenant dispute. Hopefully, you’re able to work things out with your tenant in an efficient and professional manner.
If the dispute continues to grow and negotiations fall flat, it’s time to learn more about your legal rights in New York as a landlord. You need to take the right steps at the right time to finally put this issue in the past.
