For example, if a tenant doesn’t pay rent or their utilities bills, call them right away and hash it out. Don’t wait, hoping that the issue will somehow resolve or “fix itself.” You’ll have to be confrontational to deal with these types of problems quickly, but that’s okay. Dealing with issues now — and fast — is always better for everyone involved. As you become a more experienced landlord, you’ll see more and more why this is so important. Address the issue head on, and you’ll see that the more quickly and aggressively you deal with any potential issue, the more likely the situation is going to be resolved in your favor. This will help make renting out your property a more pleasant and beneficial experience for everyone.
Evicting Tenants
The National Association of Independent Landlords tells the true story of a landlord leasing his apartment to a tenant who stopped paying rent soon after taking up residence. The landlord performed a check-up and inspection and suspected the non- paying tenant was also stealing appliances in addition to not paying rent. Of course, he called the police, but when they questioned the tenant, she accused the landlord of trespassing and even claimed she’d never seen him before. Unfortunately, the police sided with the tenant, and the landlord literally watched as the tenant left with his washing machine. This story isn’t meant to make you averse to becoming a rental property owner, but rather to impress upon you the importance of laying down the law and enforcing your lease. Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, you might have to end up evicting tenants. This is just one of the risks you take when you rent out property. It’s also one of the most difficult aspects of the job of a landlord, and the eviction process can escalate quickly to
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