When Is It Time To Let a Complaining Tenant Go?

You love being a landlord. You take pride in finding great tenants and providing them with quality homes. But there’s one tenant who is constantly complaining, no matter what you do.

You’ve given them a break on the rent, you’ve fixed everything they’ve complained about, but nothing seems to be good enough. At what point do you throw in the towel and start looking for a new tenant?

How to gauge a tenant complaint

Here are some things to consider when making the decision to let a complaining tenant go:

Severity of the complaints

Some tenants will complain about small things that won’t cost you much time or money to fix. Others will have more serious complaints that require extensive repairs or that put other tenants at risk.

If the complaints are minor and easily resolved, it may be worth keeping the tenant and dealing with the occasional complaint. But if the complaints are serious and/or ongoing, it may be time to start looking for someone new.

Frequency of the complaints

Is this a tenant who complains once in awhile about small things, or is it someone who is constantly complaining about everything? If it’s the former, you may be able to work with them to find solutions to their complaints. But if it’s the latter, it’s probably not worth your time and energy to keep them as a tenant.

Impact on your other tenants

One complaint tenant can have a ripple effect on your other tenants. If this person is constantly causing problems, it can make other tenants feel unsafe or put them at risk. It can also make it difficult to attract new tenants. Weigh the impact on your other tenants before making a decision about whether to keep a complaining tenant or not.

How to get rid of complaining tenants

The first step is to have a conversation with the tenant. It’s important to try and resolve the issue amicably before taking any further action. Oftentimes, tenants simply need someone to listen to their concerns and make some small changes in order for them to feel satisfied. During your conversation, be sure to take note of the specific complaints the tenant has and what, if anything, you can do to address them.

If talking things out doesn’t work, your next course of action is to send the tenant a warning letter. This letter should outline the specific complaints that have been made and remind the tenant that their lease agreement requires them to upkeep the property in a certain way and refrain from causing any damage. The letter should also warn the tenant that if they don’t comply with the terms of their lease agreement, they may be subject to eviction.

If the warning letter doesn’t get the desired results, then it’s time to start the eviction process. Luckily, in most cases, getting rid of a complaining tenant is relatively straightforward since they’re usually in violation of their lease agreement. However, it’s important to follow all the necessary steps and procedures carefully in order to avoid any legal complications down the road.

3 ways to avoid getting sued when dismissing a tenant’s complaints

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

Even if a tenant is constantly complaining about your rental property, you can’t just get rid of them without risking a lawsuit. If you’re considering dismissing a tenant’s complaints and getting rid of them altogether, here are three ways to do it without getting sued:

1. Put it in writing

If you’re going to dismiss a tenant’s complaints, make sure you do it in writing. This way, you have documentation that shows you addressed the issue and the tenant chose not to listen. This will help protect you if the tenant decides to take legal action against you.

2. Be specific

When you’re putting your dismissal of the tenant’s complaint in writing, be as specific as possible. Include the date of the incident, what the complaint was, what steps you took to address it, and why you’re choosing to dismiss the complaint. This will again help protect you if the tenant decides to take legal action against you.

3. Give the tenant notice

When you’re dismissing a tenant’s complaint, make sure to give them notice in writing. This way, they’re aware that their complaint has been dismissed and they won’t be able to use it against you in court. Giving the tenant notice also gives them time to find another rental property if they choose to do so.

Conclusion

No landlord wants to deal with constant complaints, but sometimes you have to weigh the costs and benefits of keeping a tenant vs finding a new one. If the complaints are minor and easily resolved, you may be able to work with the tenant to find a solution. But if the complaints are serious and/or ongoing, it may be time to start looking for someone new. Consider the severity, frequency, and impact of the complaints before making a decision about whether to keep a complaining tenant or not.

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