Many things can be a contributor to an overall bad experience in renting a property. And one of the common things is poor management or mismanagement. This can be through landlord negligence or bad property management company which can really add to a stressful rental experience. As a result, tenants report bad landlords and property management.
Through this article, I will be discussing some tips on how to deal with difficult landlords and report a bad one when there’s an issue.
How to Prevent Tension With Landlords?
Here are some tips on how to prevent issues that are arising and protect you as a tenant.
1. Carefully read your lease before signing
Before signing any lease, you must read and understand the terms since it’s a legally binding contract. If there is any question in mind free to ask them and clarify anything vague. Because violating any of the terms can result in an issue with your landlord.
2. Know your rights
Next, conduct research about local ordinances or landlord and tenant laws. Some of the landlords will unconsciously or consciously include some illegal provisions. Therefore, you must know what should be included and whatnot.
3. Pay your rent in full and on time
Overdue payments may not only cause additional fees but will also create tension between you and your landlord. Definitely, it’s convenient on your part in settling the payment if the property has an online tenant portal. And if i’s not available you can set an automatic payment through banks. So that you will not forget about it when you’re busy.
4. Keep detailed records
You must properly document the condition of the rental property. And don’t rely on your landlord. As a result, it would help if you take many photos before signing any move-in checklist. Just to make sure that you have the documentation since you will hold accountable for all the property damage.
5. Make requests in writing
You can make use of an online tenant portal to submit any repair requests. But if it is not available, you can simply request it through writing or email. So make sure you have a copy with a timestamp in case there would be disputes.
6. Keep communications respectful
Stay calm and respectful as possible because if the fire started between you and the landlord it will just make the situation worse. Therefore, addressing any concerns would be best if you can keep the communication as formal and respectful as possible.
7. Work towards the benefit of each other
Having and maintaining a harmonious tenant/landlord relationship is beneficial. Because of that, you must continue to have respectful and good communication with your landlord or property manager.
When is The Time That I Should Report Bad Landlord and Property Management Negligence?
Landlords are responsible for maintaining the good condition of the rental property. In particular, the rental property must be free from any health issues and safety. And if the landlords fail to do some actions, there is a need to report them to local agencies.
Below are several reasons to report bad landlords and property management.
- Pests– a tenant must report any traces of mice, rats, bed bugs, roaches, and any other pest infestation in the property to the landlord. You can go back to your lease in order to know who is responsible for the pest infestation. And if the landlord is responsible and fails to have some action. It’s time that you may do some action on your part.
- Mold– can be dangerous in your rental property. Check for any signs of mold and report them to your landlord. However, if they don’t conduct an inspection. That’s the time that you take action and report bad landlords and property management.
- Lead– it’s like mold because it’s also dangerous to one’s health, especially the children. But, if the landlord doesn’t take any action it will become a housing code violation.
- Lack of essential services– If there is no sufficient running water, electricity, and even heat. Then it can be classified as emergency maintenance. For instance, if these are not properly handled it can be a reason to report a landlord.
- Broken plumbing fixtures– In some cases, if the landlords fail to handle or take action on the repair and restoration of the fixtures. The tenants can report bad landlord and property management.
- Structural issues-is safety issues like roof leaks that can eventually cause a collapsed ceiling. Certainly, if there are no actions from the landlord the health department can be contacted by the tenant.
How to Report Bad Landlords and Property Management Negligence?
There is a proper step that you need to follow in reporting bad landlords to local authorities, like the Health Department.
Send a Notice To Report Bad Landlord and Property Management
In most cases, you just need to send a written notice to the landlord or property manager about the details of the issue. After sending, tenants must allow the landlord some time to handle the issue. It can be up to 45 days, but you should check with your local jurisdiction first. In addition one of the requirements in filing any complaints with the Health Department is a written notice and timeframe for the repair.
Report Bad Landlord and Property Management by Filing a Complaint
Failure to respond or take action to the present issue will allow proceeding with the filing of a complaint. Also, there are also some requirements that you need to include when you report bad landlords and property management.
What Happens After You Report Bad Landlord and Property Management?
The local authorities will do the needed steps after the complaint is filed. Here is a list of the steps:
1. Inspection of the property
First, an inspection will be conducted by the Health Department and will be sending some officials. And they will initiate an investigation of the complaint. And find out the exact violation and will eventually look for other issues that have not been noted.
2. Prepare the findings
Second, a compilation of evidence collected will be done by the inspector through a report. Including property address, violations, and timeframe of repairs.
3. Violation report sent to the landlord
Third, the violations that have been found during the inspection will be sent to the landlord.
4. Give time to fix the issue
Next, the landlord will be given several days to fix the issues. And if the landlord fixes it, an inspector will re-inspect the property.
5. Re-inspection of property and issuance of Letter of Compliance
Then, after the re-inspection and the violations have been corrected the Health Department will issue a letter of compliance.
6. Impose fines on the landlord
Lastly, if the landlord failed to fix the violation or do it within the given time. As a result, the Health Department will then issue a fine to the landlord.
Report Bad Landlords and Property Managements if They Have These Signs
Here are the characteristics of a bad landlord.
1. Bad Landlords and Property Management Don’t have written leases
A lease serves as an outline of the policies, responsibilities, and consequences and it will bind the tenant and the landlord. It can be a problem if there is no lease. In the absence of a lease, the landlord will be prone to misunderstandings and disputes.
2. Bad Landlords and Property Management Don’t complete inspections
It’s a standard operating procedure of moving in and moving out is inspection. Through inspection, you will find out potential repairs. And will also be helpful when there are disputes and tenant damage.
3. Bad Landlords and Property Management Ignorees tenant’s need
Handling emergency and nonemergency situations will have a great impact on your tenant’s satisfaction and how they stay longer on your rental property.
4. Bad Landlord and Property Management Don’t see rental property as a business
You must get in the landlord’s mindset that it’s a business. The landlords can also make use of any technology and software to help the implementation of appropriate practices and that is essential for success.
Conclusion
Tenant needs to know their rights and responsibilities. You can follow the abovementioned steps to report bad landlords or negligence.
And as a landlord, you must also be able to meet the needs of your tenants. And don’t just neglect those issues so that you won’t be in trouble. But if you are looking forward to hassle-free rental management, Pro Realty can help you in managing your rental property.
