As a landlord, you want tenants who pay on time and do not cause you any problems. You cannot control whether they are prompt payers. However, if you understand what a tenant wants from their landlord, it can reduce the chance they give you legal problems.
What causes legal issues between tenants and landlords?
Most legal issues between tenants and landlords occur for a few reasons. If you do the following you can reduce the chance they happen to you:
- Deal with issues promptly: Tenants want a safe place to live. They want things such as water and electricity to work. If they tell you something is not working or something is unsafe, they expect you to take prompt action. They also want a landlord who answers their messages or calls. If they think you are avoiding them, they are more likely to seek legal avenues to have their voice heard.
- Treat your tenants fairly and with respect: Tenants do not want you to be their friend. They want you to treat them with respect. If they feel unhappy about how you treat them or talk to them, they may be less amenable when there are other issues. Remember that there are strict rules related to who you can refuse to rent to.
- Be honest: If you are unsure of what you must disclose to prospective tenants, seek legal advice. Failing to mention specific things could lead to unhappy tenants who create legal problems.
- Abide by the laws: Be sure to comply with all applicable laws. Tenants have rights. If you violate them, they may try to hold you responsible. Take great care with things such as evictions. Failing to follow legal procedures could harm your chances of removing the tenant.
If you follow these steps, it is not to say you will never have problems with tenants. However, it should reduce the likelihood of issues. It will also put you in a stronger legal position if you have a dispute with a tenant.
