Landlord Mistakes That Can Get Them Into Trouble

Landlords should be aware of things that can cause their tenants to file a complaint against them. There are laws protecting tenants' rights, and violating their rights can get a landlord into a big problem. 

If you are operating a rental property, you should have a good business relationship with your tenants. Never be unfair towards them or discriminate based on their religion, race, disability, familial status, or sexual orientation. 

Take note of these common mistakes that can get landlords into troublesome situations with tenants. Remember these blunders and avoid them as far as possible. 

Failing to Comply with the Fair Housing Act

The Federal Fair Housing Act protects current and potential tenants from the discriminatory practices of some landlords. Even screening a prospective tenant, the landlord cannot ask questions that offend the tenant's religion, race, disability, familial status, or sexual orientation. 

Moreover, landlords should not have preferential treatment towards another race or ethnic origin over another. You cannot refuse a disabled person from renting your property without valid reasons. As a landlord, you might face legal consequences if you commit such discriminatory practices. 

Using Incorrect Documents

The rental agreement between the landlord and tenant highlights either party’s rights and responsibilities. It is a crucial document because it gives security to both parties. The landlord should ensure that all paperwork complies with state laws and regulations. 

There are standard rental agreements available for download online. However, be careful with picking a standardized rental document online because it might not be the correct one to use in your state. Using a wrong rental agreement that is compliant with state requirements can pose a problem for the landlord.

The rental agreement should spell out the reasons for the termination of the lease and eviction. Crucial stipulations of the agreement should be explained in detail for the benefit of the landlord and tenant. You can hire an attorney to ensure you are using the correct rental agreement. 

Charging an Unreasonable Rent Price 

States have rent controls that landlords should follow. For instance, you cannot charge a rent price above the maximum amount in your state. A landlord should be mindful of such restrictions if he wants to set a certain price that generates profit. 

Aside from the rental price, landlords cannot charge exorbitant late rent penalties. While this move is understandable to deter tenants from paying their rent beyond schedule, it can put you into a legal predicament if you do it. Read the regulations on late rent fees appropriate in your state to avoid complaints from your tenants. 

Neglecting the Health and Safety of Tenants

It is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that the rental property complies with health and safety standards. The condition of the property should not put the lives of the tenants at risk. 

Strong security measures must be in place to prevent criminal activities within the premises. It is also crucial to address issues like safe drinking water, plumbing, heating, and pest control because they may cause health problems when neglected. 

Ignoring Maintenance and Repair Requests

It is not uncommon for landlords to receive complaints from tenants for ignoring maintenance and repair requests. A landlord has the responsibility to ensure that the property is habitable for tenants. If there is something that needs to get fixed, the tenant can ask the landlord to fix it. 

However, it is important to take note that in some cases the tenant can do the maintenance and repairs. The rental agreement should stipulate who will shoulder these tasks. For example, the tenant can take care of the lawn or pay for the repair of a dripping tap. But if these responsibilities fall on the landlord, he should not ignore them to avoid complaints from tenants. 

Not Informing the Tenant Before Showing Up

A landlord should inform the tenant before showing up on the property. Tenants should have privacy in the rental property, and a landlord turning up unannounced is a violation of this privacy. It can be considered harassment if a landlord repeatedly visits the rental home without prior notice. 

In some states, landlords should give notice 24 hours before the property visit. Both parties can discuss the form of communication regarding this matter. Since email and text messages are the preferred communication means by tenants, the landlord should inform tenants through such methods. 

Final Thoughts

In many business relationships, it is pretty common to make mistakes. Landlords also commit blunders in managing their rental business. Worse is when tenants file legal action against landlords for falling short of their duties. 

Therefore, landlords should take note of the common mistakes that get them into trouble with tenants. Effective communication with tenants is vital to identify issues. Landlords should encourage tenants to give feedback on what they could improve in managing a rental property.