You’ve been in the real estate business for some time now and you rent out properties. For the most part, this has gone smoothly and you receive a profit while the tenant has somewhere nice to live for a reasonable price.
Unfortunately, upon a recent inspection, one of your tenants has damaged your property. What are some of the more common types of tenant property damage and what are your legal options as a landlord?
Misuse of the property
The lease agreement between you and your tenant should specify behaviors that are not acceptable in the property.
For instance, if there is no smoking permitted in the building. You can also state that there is zero tolerance toward anti-social behavior such as wild parties. If your property has subsequently been damaged due to prohibited behaviors then it has been misused. This is something that you could hold the tenant accountable for.
Unreported issues
Property damage such as a leaky pipe may not be anyone’s fault, but these things typically need to be repaired quickly. Failure to do so will result in the leak only getting worse as well as more extensive damage to the property.
A tenant should inform you of issues such as this so that you can carry out repairs. They also need to allow you to access the property for these purposes. These are things that can be included in your tenancy agreement. A failure to report an issue or to let you in could result in unnecessary damage and you might be able to hold the tenant to account for this.
If your tenant has damaged your property then you may want to know how you can lawfully evict them. Compensation may also be an option. By seeking some legal guidance, you’ll be better placed to take appropriate action.
