Signs of good and bad tenants

One of the best forms of real estate investment that provides good cash flow is rental properties. It has its own down side if you come across a bad tenant. Ask any property owner who has been involved in rental properties and they will tell you that there are good and bad tenants. Unfortunately, recognising a very good or bad tenant often happens after they have moved into your property. Nevertheless there are signs that should enlighten you on the matter.

The involvement of an experienced property manager in the process of letting a property can also prevent you from making a mistake in this regards. Often, by reason of dealing with different individuals, a property manager has developed an instinct for recognising likely problematic tenants. Using an experienced property manager could save you valuable time and money in the long run.

There are some signs of a bad tenant that could prevent you from letting your property to them in the first instance. One of such signs is lack of a clear discernible source of income. This is also something that an experienced property manager may easily spot from the personal data forms given to a prospective tenant to complete. In such forms there are usually spaces for references which should be verified. Places of work or business should be verified by the property management firm to avoid letting the property to scammers.

Another subtle sign of a bad tenant is that they often lack good interpersonal skills and often the source or cause of discord among the other occupants of the property. They often have issues relating well with their neighbours and co-tenants. And if they find it difficult to live peacefully with others they will also eventually find it difficult to relate with you, the property owner or manager, peacefully.

One common cause of disagreement is the use of and maintenance of common facilities and amenities. Most rental properties have shared areas or facilities such as parking spaces, play areas, laundry section and some other things. The maintenance of such areas is often the general responsibilities of tenants. Once in a while you will find tenants that will refuse or neglect to do their own bit for the purpose of maintaining the shared facility. They may refuse to clean or pay the cleaner. They may decide to park their cars in such a way and for such a time that inconveniences their neighbours. They just want to be negatively different.

The principal obligation of a tenant to the landlord is payment of rent and when this becomes irregular or problematic in collecting it then that tenant has begun to fail in his or her responsibility. Surprisingly, there are individuals who have the money but do not delight in paying their rents promptly. They believe that they are doing their landlord a favour. Some unilaterally decide to pay their rents irregularly or in instalments. When such payments are done without the consent and approval of the property owner or his agent it is time to take legal action.

In addition, a further sign of a bad tenant is the use and abuse of the court process or processes. These tenants often rush to court to enforce what they perceive as their right which more often than not is their grand plan to prolong their stay in the property without paying rent. Unfortunately, they often find their own type of lawyers who encourage taking advantage of the weakness of the legal system to cause delay and keep their clients on the property. If you are faced with a tenant like this you should get a lawyer and go to court to protect and enforce your rights.

Of course, there are also good tenants that every responsible landlord desires to have living in their property. They pay their rents on time and if there is any reasonable reason not to do so they inform their landlord on time and keep to the new due date. They maintain good relationship with other tenants and often relate well with their landlords. They maintain the property as if it belongs to them. Their own apartment or section as well as the common areas are treated as part of their responsibility. At the expiration of their lease they often deliberately endeavour to end the relationship on a very good note.

If you are faced with the problem of a bad tenant it is better that you act fast by consulting a lawyer on time. Do not attempt to handle such matters without professional advice. Bad tenants are notorious for wanting to exploit legal means to the detriment of the landlord if such landlords are ignorant or passive. Like the adage says, a stitch in time saves nine. And of course, I need not tell you how to handle a good tenant. They are rare. Handle with care.