Oftentimes in as much as landlords want to cover everything when it comes to leasing out their properties, they end up regretting not having the time to pay attention to the small things that were deemed unimportant in the beginning but were proven to be somewhat significant in the end. While these concerns may still be corrected; it is a different matter if the problem was realized after the last tenants have already left.
Below are some tips to keep in mind when leasing out your property:
- Window curtains. Set the rules with regard to window curtains expense. Is it your responsibility or your tenant’s? Some property owners put cheap curtains so there is little to lose when they get lost or damaged. Some just put up curtain rods and leave their tenants to do the designing. Others provide their tenants a choice by initially putting up some and asking them to return them back in case the tenants would opt for something different.
- House keys. When is the perfect time to give out the keys? Ensure that you turn over the keys once all the required rents and security deposits have been made. There are cases where the landlord gave the keys too soon and ended up changing the locks since the prospective tenants were nowhere to be found, having not paid the security deposit.
- Responding to text messages during an eviction process. It is recommended that you do not respond to any text messages if you are evicting a tenant. This may turn out to not be in your favor in the end. Just wait for the whole process to follow its course.
- Charging for damages. Whether you have a good relationship with tenants or not, charging for unforeseen damages is always a dilemma. Some damages may be due to wear and tear. To avoid misunderstandings, set the conditions on your security deposit. Itemize as much as possible and take photos of the parts of the house before and after. If the damage is bigger than the deposit, send both a letter and the involved amounts so they are properly informed.
There will be instances that the problem may no longer prove to be manageable. When this happens, it may be best to seek professional and/or legal assistance so you can arrive at a decision that is most beneficial for both parties.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
