Are you an awful tenant? Here’s a list of eight things that could make you one if you’re not sure. Being a bad tenant can result in you being evicted, having your security deposit taken away, or even being barred from renting again. Therefore, if you wish to avoid any of those consequences, avoid engaging in any of the following actions!
- Not paying rent on time. This is obviously a major factor when it comes to someone being a bad tenant. If you don’t pay your rent on time, your Leland property manager has the legal right to evict you. Not only that but failing to pay your rent on time can harm your credit score.
- Making too much noise or disturbing other tenants. If you are regularly making loud sounds or causing disruptions to other tenants, your landlord will constantly have complaints against you. When it comes time to renew your lease, the more complaints your landlord receives, the less likely they may want to renew it.
- Damaging the property or not taking care of it. A bad tenant can also have this common trait. Causing damage to the property or neglecting to repair it, will force your landlord to spend money to fix it. This can be extremely costly for them, and they may consider withholding your security deposit or, in severe cases, evicting you.
- Not reporting maintenance and repair issues. Maintenance and repair issues can cost your landlord a lot of money if you don’t report them right away. You also risk causing damage to your own property in addition to the house (like water leaks that turn into a flood!). This is why it is critical to notify your landlord immediately of any problems.
- Having pets when you’re not supposed to. You may believe that it will go unnoticed by your landlord if you have pets when you aren’t supposed to, but they will find out. If your lease clearly states that pets are not allowed, this is a breach of your lease terms, and you may get evicted.
- Bringing in unauthorized guests. Unsanctioned guests or residents are given the same treatment. Your landlord needs to know who lives in your rental home for liability reasons, such as family members who stay for extended periods of time. Illegitimate guests might create legal headaches for you and your landlord if something gets out of control.
- Smoking inside or using drugs. This is another frequent sign of an unreliable tenant. Smoking inside or using drugs (if the drugs are illegal) can get you evicted, arrested, or both, by a frustrated landlord if your lease prohibits these and you do them anyway.
- Ignore your lease terms. You may believe that ignoring any of your lease terms, including those we’ve already discussed, will not have a significant impact in the short term. Your landlord, on the other hand, will eventually find out – and they will be furious. This could result in you receiving a warning or even being evicted from the property.
Now that you’ve learned how not to be a bad tenant, make certain you avoid these unacceptable actions! The last thing you need is to get a bad reference or be blacklisted, making it difficult (if not impossible) to rent a new place to live. If you are in the market for a new rental home, browse our listings. We can help you find a quality rental home in Leland.
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.
