You have a property that lies vacant for the most part of the year. You visit this property only during a vacation and that too, only if you travel where the property is located. So, what should you do with it for the rest of the year? If selling is not the option that you want to go for, then renting your property is the best decision. In fact, when you rent, you earn money and your property is kept in good condition as well. Nevertheless, they may be some common rental problems that you may experience. But, this shouldn’t discourage you from letting your property on rent. To help you overcome renting problems, we’re listed down some common rental problems and their solutions.
1. Irregular Payments
One of the common problems that landlords face is not getting paid on time. In some cases, the tenants may even refuse to make payments. Tenants can delay paying rent when they face temporary unemployment, cash flow problems, repair and maintenance disputes, etc.
To resolve this problem, talk to your tenant and try to negotiate. If cash flow is a problem, then you may decide to collect the entire payment annually or twice a year. When tenants are adamant and not willing to pay despite trying to negotiate with them, then you can give them a notice as soon as the rent is overdue or after a three-day grace period depending on which province your property is located. Your notice should include the amount of rent that is overdue and the date when your tenant should move out.
2. Problem Creating Tenants
Although you may take utmost care in selecting the right tenant, you are not guaranteed that you get good tenants all the time. Your tenant may create excess noise late at night and thus, disturb the neighbors. They may keep the premises dirty, not follow parking laws, get into a heated argument with others, etc.
To handle problematic tenants, ask them politely to follow the rules and avoid creating problems. Sending them a written request is also a good idea to make aware of the consequences if they continue creating problems for others. If there’s no change in your tenant’s behavior, then complain to the local rent authority. Ensure you have witnesses to prove your tenant has been creating problems and get him to compensate for his actions.
3. Repair Issues
In case an appliance has come along with your condo or apartment, then you are liable to pay for any repairs or maintenance when it breaks. Also, other areas such as stairways, halls, etc. should be fixed by you. However, if your appliances break down every now and then, it becomes a problem for you. On the other hand, if an appliance is damaged because of the tenant’s fault, then they should pay for the repairs.
To avoid this problem, ensure your appliances are in a good working condition before you rent your unit. If they are not, then it’s better you get a new one or not include it in the agreement and let your tenant know about the same. In any case, if the party responsible for repairs do not perform their duties, then a notification can be sent to the provincial authorities also known as the residential tenancy office. Once the application is received by the rental authorities, the responsible party will receive court orders to make payments for repairs.
Apart from these three common rental problems, you may face other rental issues too. This may include security depository issues, violation of rules, etc. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult a rental advisor for any property management work without having any problems in the future. A rental advisor will consider all the necessary work and provide excellent landlord services to you.