Maintaining a positive relationship with your tenants can make a big difference when you’re a landlord. They rely on you to provide housing and you rely on them to take care of your property. Dealing with tenant issues can be time-consuming but if ignored can put you into a lot of trouble that you’re not ready for. Even positive relationships run the risk of turning sour too.
No matter if you’re new to the landlord gig or a seasoned veteran, it’s important to understand legal issues you may face while renting out properties.
Tenant Refuses to Pay Their Rent
There are a number of reasons why a tenant may withhold rent, ranging from temporary or unexpected unemployment to cash flow shortages, to disputes over repair and maintenance issues. When faced with this issue, it’s crucial to keep the lines of communication open with your tenant. Doing so can allow you to better understand what is happening with your tenant and can allow you to try and negotiate payment options with them.
The most effective method to collect rent when your tenant is experiencing cash flow problems is to create flexible payment solutions for them, temporarily of course. You can also offer to change the living situation for them either by setting them up with roommates or moving them into a smaller unit with a lower rent price. If you are unable to negotiate an option that works for both of you, you can begin the eviction process.
Eviction is a very serious process that is both stressful and costly. It’s not something that any landlord wants to go through but is often the last resort when faced with tenants who refuse to pay their rent. It involves a strict legal process that may not be resolved as quickly as you would like and may result in high costs for you.
Keeping Up with Maintenance Issues
When you’re a landlord, you are responsible for maintaining your properties so that they meet safety codes and protect your investment. it can be tricky trying to keep up with regular and emergency issues at your properties and if you fall behind you may be met with some legal issues. Refusing to keep up with maintenance issues could land you in legal trouble– especially if a tenant were to injure themself due to neglect of the property.
Staying Up to Date on Landlord-Tenant Laws and Regulations
When you are a landlord, there are many state, city, and federal laws and regulations that you need to be aware of and comply with. It may seem like a big task but is incredibly important to ensure that you remain compliant and to keep you free from any legal troubles.
It is crucial for documents like leases to follow the laws and regulations put into place to adequately protect your liabilities. If you make an error it could result in expensive legal fees. You also need to be prepared to deal with any legal issues that could occur during a tenancy including:
- Making sure your leases are up to date and airtight
- How to make sure rent is collected on time
- What to do if your tenant doesn’t pay rent
- What your responsibilities are when it comes to taking care of the property
- Knowing how to perform a proper background screening
- How to set up legal late fees
- What the deadlines and rules are for returning the security deposit
- And more
Property Management Services from Rhino
At Rhino Property Management we are Utah property managers who are passionate about taking care of your rental property. We are here to make things easier for our property owners. We have long-time experience and offer a wealth of expertise. We were founded by property owners so we understand what you need to find the right tenant while also making sure your property is well-maintained.
We work hard to stay up to date with city, state, and federal regulations to ensure that your rental is compliant and to save you from any legal issues. We can handle tenants who are late on rent and are prepared to assist you with any tenant evictions you may have to deal with. To learn more about our services contact us today by calling (801) 981-5237!