responsible tenants and won’t have to worry about this too much. You still need to enforce the terms and conditions of your lease, no matter who is renting out your home, but the “laying down the law” piece won’t be so necessary with good tenants. But sometimes those “bad apples” sneak through, and that’s when you’re going to have to actively enforce the lease. Be sure to remain firm, authoritative, and calm whenever you deal with them.
Make Sure They Pay
The first and the most important part of enforcing the lease is ensuring your tenant is paying their rent. And not just paying, but paying the full amount, on time, every single month . Some tenants do this automatically, but others, assuming they’re not red-flagged “bad apples,” need reminders. You also want to check up on things to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing — paying you to live in your home! Communication is key. You’ll need each other’s contact details, including phone numbers and email addresses. Let them know exactly when rent is due (the final date), and how early you will accept the payment ahead of time. Pro Tip: Make it easy for tenants to pay you! If paying you is a hassle, then it will be a hassle for you, as well. Give them options for payment — let them pay you online, mail you a check, or use other mutually agreeable options with which you’re both comfortable. Some landlords prefer checks, some direct deposit, some PayPal.
Don’t forget to remind your tenants what will happen if they
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