Laws across most states don't make it easy to evict a problem tenant from a property.
The first step to dealing with problem tenants, then, is to have a strong lease. The second is to know the importance of lease enforcement and how to do it successfully.
Lease enforcement protects your property, assets, and investment. So if you're a landlord who hasn't heard of the term until now, you need to read this quick guide to learn more.
The Basics of a Lease Agreement
A lease agreement is a contract signed between a tenant and a property owner. This contract states the responsibilities of both parties in regard to the property being rented.
A lease agreement will outline expectations around rent, explain any rules about the use of the property, and list the duties of the tenant and owner in terms of maintenance. When both parties have signed the agreement, they're expected to abide by its rules.
Should either party not live up to their side of the agreement, the lease outlines what can be expected. Lease enforcement is one way of ensuring tenants adhere to their side of the contract.
Why Is Lease Enforcement Important?
There are many forms of lease violations. Maybe your tenants aren't paying rent on time or they're causing noise complaints. It may be as simple as not picking up after their pets, or they may be breaking things and causing damage.
Although the majority of your tenants probably won't cause issues, you need to deal with lease infractions, big and small. Providing a safe and comfortable home for all of your tenants requires that all of your tenants follow the rules. Enforcing these aspects of your lease also protects your property and assets.
Many landlords dread this part of their job, but it's what keeps your rental properties operational. Without it, you're putting your investment at risk.
Enforcing Leases Like a Professional
One of the best ways to enforce a lease is to focus on prevention. That means being proactive when it comes to ensuring the lease is abided by. It might involve conducting drive-by's of your property on a regular basis as well as routine property inspections.
Other methods of lease enforcement include thorough move-out inspections and security deposit processes. Being consistent with delivering verbal and written warnings is also a big aspect of lease enforcement.
Of course, staying on top of all of this can prove difficult for a busy landlord. In that case, consider hiring a property management company. These companies know how to enforce a lease successfully, starting with writing a great agreement and screening for excellent tenants.
More Help with Lease Enforcement
In order to run a safe and profitable rental property, you need to ensure the rules of your lease agreements are being followed by all tenants. And that's why lease enforcement is an essential part of any landlord's job.
If you're unable to keep up with lease enforcement, or any other essential duties of running a rental, we can help. Contact us to find out more about our Property Management services.
