2. Problem tenants are a nightmare
for many landlords. Guidelines for
dealing with tenant issues vary
from state to state. However,
there really are four things you should do to
avoid a legal battle with your tenants:
3. The lease agreement should
clearly define potential tenant-
landlord issues. Once you have
qualified the tenant and
agreed to lease the premises to
him or her, it is important to review the rules
and regulations within the lease. If the tenant
enters into the agreement fully informed, then
he or she is less likely to create an issue.
4. Talk to the tenant once an issue has been
reported. Open lines of communication can
often avert a potential
tenant-landlord crisis.
The tenant may have
been unaware that he
or she was causing an
issue, and a simple conversation
can sometimes avert the need for further action.
5. Put it in writing. A formal letter to the tenant is
often a good step. This can be either a
personally drafted letter or a form issued from
the local housing authority, depending on the
seriousness.
6. File an action with the local housing authority.
This is obviously a landlord’s last resort. If all
other efforts fail, involving the local housing
authority is your only legal option. Forms, time
periods and authority vary from state to state,
so seeking the appropriate legal advice is
important before proceeding.
