Tips for Landlords Dealing with Bothersome Tenants

Having a bothersome tenant can make a landlord’s job difficult. They might be tenants who never pay the rent on time, or they could be loud and get complaints from the neighbors. The worst bothersome tenants may even damage the property. It can be hard to deal with them, and the best course of action is to avoid them altogether. Take a look at tips on avoiding them and how to get through the situation.

Types of Bothersome Tenants

There are several types of bothersome tenants to be on the lookout for. The first is the one who damages property. They may do this by making unauthorized changes to the property or by not taking care of it. Make sure that your lease is very specific about what they are allowed to do and the consequences if they do any unauthorized improvements. Have a walk-through when they move in, and conduct regular inspections.

Another bothersome tenant is the one who pays rent late all the time. It is important to make sure that you have strict policies about late rent payments and include the consequences. Do not make exceptions for anyone, and create reminders for tenants.

Tenants who have guests who stay for extended periods of time are also a problem. These people do not sign a lease, and they can be a liability for the landlord. You should not allow subletting, and it should be written in the lease agreement. If you conduct regular inspections, you will know when they have guests and how long they are there. You should let the tenants know how long a guest can stay.

How to Deal with Bothersome Tenants

You should always stay calm and do not get angry when you are dealing with a bothersome tenant. Stay professional when communicating with your tenants. Make sure that you keep written records, which makes it much easier to refer back to them. This will save you a lot of headaches when the tenant tries to dispute a change or anything else.

If it reaches a point where it isn’t going to improve, you can ask them to move out. You won’t be able to force them out without going through the eviction process. If it is your only choice, you should do it. Make sure that you have cause when you take them to court.

In Pittsboro, North Carolina, real estate investor, coach, and mentor, Kathie Russell, is a multi-faceted individual who has interests in multiple areas. She is active in the rental and Airbnb communities in Chatham County. She also consults individuals who are interested in investing in real estate. As a skilled house flipper, she enjoys exploring her artistic side by creating unique living spaces.

Besides being a band manager, she also manages the bands Sarah Shook & the Disarmers. The group was formed in 2012 and is known for its unique blend of country and folk music. Shook, who is from North Carolina, also plays guitar and is known for her distinct style of Americana. In 2013, she released an EP entitled Sarah Shook and the Devil.

The group’s first full-length album, Sidelong, was released in 2015. Its third album, Night Roamer, features the band's distinct blend of folk and country music. It also features songs that are geared toward the indie-rock genre.

Prior to becoming a real estate investor, she studied political science at the University of South Florida. In 1994, she earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She worked at the law firm of the McNair Law Firm, where she was able to graduate with a degree in history. She credits Governor Terry Sanford for helping her obtain her graduate degree. During her time in school, she was able to participate in various mock trials and negotiation teams. In 1998, she opened her own office and focuses on commercial, real estate, and corporate litigation.