Many landlords underestimate the importance of building a good relationship with their renters. Believe it or not, keeping your tenants happy often translates into longer, stress-free tenancies. Plus, it can help improve your reputation as a landlord.
One of the simplest things you can do to keep your renters happy is to address their complaints promptly. Tenant complaints are an unavoidable part of being a landlord. Luckily, most common complaints, such as maintenance, noise, or parking issues, can be quickly resolved.
To help you foster a better relationship with your renters, the experts at Real Property Management Talent have written this guide. Keep reading to learn the most common tenant complaints landlords must deal with and how to solve them!
Maintenance Complaints
Poor property maintenance can drive tenants away. Moreover, it can lead to costly fines and even legal disputes. After all, unaddressed issues, such as structural damage, mold growth, or even pests, can pose a huge risk to your tenants’ well-being.
Even if you’re dealing with a small issue, like a leaky faucet, addressing maintenance requests promptly goes a long way. It can not only show tenants that you care about their well-being but also help you prevent issues from further escalating.
Taking a proactive approach to maintenance can prevent most tenant complaints. By regularly inspecting your property and scheduling regular maintenance throughout the year, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of emergency repairs. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t have to deal with emergencies along the way. It’s crucial that you build a network of trusted contractors and vendors you can reach out to whenever needed.
Noise Complaints
The Implied Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment is a legal term that refers to a tenant’s right to live in a peaceful and quiet environment. This includes having minimal interference or disturbances from the landlord, neighbors, and even other tenants.
Noise disruptions, such as construction, parties, or loud music at all hours of the day, can negatively impact your tenant’s quality of life. If left unattended, this issue can make your tenants reconsider their stay on your rental. That’s why it’s crucial that you resolve noise complaints in a timely and effective manner.
First, you must assess the problem to determine whether it actually constitutes a noise disturbance. If it does, you must further investigate to find the root of the issue. In most cases, asking the offending party to keep the noise down is enough to stop the problem. If this doesn’t work, you might have to turn to your local authorities.
If you own a multi-family dwelling or apartment complex, you should consider adding noise regulation policies on all your leases. This will keep noise complaints to a minimum.
Security Concerns
No one wants to live in a place where they feel unsafe. That’s why you should always take your tenants’ security concerns seriously. If, for example, a renter complains that the door to the rental doesn’t lock properly, ignoring the issue could drive them away.
When dealing with complaints concerning the safety of your rental, it’s important that you take the time to inspect the issue as soon as possible. Moreover, you can take preventive measures to ensure that your tenants and your property are always protected. Quality smart locks, security cameras, and good outdoor lighting are all great investments.
Parking Disputes
As a landlord, you’ll have to deal with parking disputes at least once during each tenancy. It could be a neighbor parking in front of your property or other tenants who don’t know there are assigned parking spots. Either way, leaving this issue unattended can cause annoyance and resentment in your renters.
Luckily, you can resolve most parking disputes by talking to the offending party. If the problem can be resolved amicably, you might have to file a complaint with your HOA or local authorities to stop it.
If own a property with several rental units, you should have clear parking policies, so tenants can know where they can and cannot park. Moreover, it’s a good idea to have assigned parking spots for every tenant. This way, you’ll be able to prevent most parking disputes.
Pet Complaints
Allowing pets in your rental can be highly profitable. Unfortunately, it can also be a huge liability. Pets can cause many problems in your rental, including excessive noise, property damage, and aggressiveness toward neighbors and other tenants.
If a tenant complains about a pet, the best course of action is to talk with the owner. This way, you can find a solution that works well for all parties involved. In the worst-case scenario, you might have to contact local authorities to deal with the issue.
If you own an apartment complex or multi-family dwelling, there are several things you can do to prevent pet complaints. First, it’s important that you screen pets thoroughly. Moreover, you must have strict pet policies in your lease, including fees or punishments for issues such as excessive barking or even aggression.
Pest Infestations
Pest infestation issues do not only pose a danger to your tenants’ health but also to the value of your rental property. If a tenant ever voices concern over a possible pest infestation, you must address the issue immediately. Have a professional inspect the house to determine whether there’s a pest infestation that needs to be dealt with.
Bottom Line
Tenant complaints are an unavoidable aspect of owning a rental property. The most common issues landlords have to deal with include maintenance requests, noise disturbances, pet complaints, and parking disputes. Now that we’ve gone over common tenant complaints and how to solve them, you are better prepared to deal with these issues quickly and effectively.
Need help dealing with tenant complaints? Get in touch with Real Property Management Talent today! We’re experts at keeping your renters happy and your investment profitable.
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.
