for red flags? You did that for a reason! Do you want people who complain about everything? Do you want tenants who pay late, who don’t pay in full, who cause damage to your property, etc.?
NO. You want good tenants, not problem ones.
What you’ll find is that when you do lay down the law, people are going to respect you more. Even the problem tenants will begin to respect you more; they’re going to respect your authority and you as a landlord and person, as long as you are 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 just 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 both 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. Here’s a tip: Make it easy for tenants to pay you! If paying you is a hassle, then you’ll both be frustrated, and it will be a hassle for you, as well. Give them options for payment. Let them pay you online, let themmail 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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