What to Do About Troublesome Tenants?

Divider Image

It always sounds great like a great idea:  Get a good deal on a property , spruce it up, rent it out, and watch your bank account grow and your mortgage get paid down by your tenants!  The reality is not always this pretty picture. Tenants may trash the place, partake in illegal activities in your prized property – or quit paying rent!  Now what do you do?  Read on to find out…

 

  1. Do your Homework – The biggest way to get rid of a troublesome tenant is to not rent to one in the first place!  Make sure you do a credit check and a background check.  A lot of people have bad credit scores nowadays due to the economy, unemployment, short sales and foreclosures.  The key things to look for are current late payments. If there are a lot of current late payments, it’s quite possible their rent payment will be added to the list.  With the background check, use your judgment.  Don’t forget to check references and prior landlords.  Give them a call and find out what type of potential tenant you are dealing with.
  2. 3- Day Notice – If your tenant is late on paying, immediately post a 3-day notice on their door.  This shows you are serious and will pursue eviction if not paid. This will usually scare them straight!
  3. Cash for Keys – One of the easiest things to do is to offer to give them back their full security deposit if they pack up and leave within a week.  When they stop paying you, it can become very costly to keep them in the home. Your goal is to get them out of there as quickly as possible for the least amount of loss.
  4. Eviction – Hire an attorney and get them out of there!  This can take a couple months due to the court process, but if the above steps don’t work, you MUST remove them from your property.  They will continue to drain your bank account if you don’t.
  5. Hire a Pro – Don’t want all the headaches and hassles?  Hire a true property manager.  One who screens the tenants and collects rent for you, deals with the maintenance issues, and if the tenant stops paying – removes them immediately!

 

Follow these tips and you are sure to have a more successful and pleasant experience as a landlord.  We have a full service property management division at our company, so if you’d like some free advice – give us a call.

 

 

 

Gabe Mellein is the broker of Gulf Pointe Properties,   He has 8 years experience in the SW Florida Real Estate Market.  He is a member of The Naples Area Board of Realtors, Bonita Springs – Estero Association of Realtors, Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, The Florida Association of Realtors, The National Association of Realtors, and is nationally certified in Feng Shui for Real Estate. Need help Selling, Buying, or with Property Management?  Please contact Gabe for FREE advice at:  239.825.2234, Gabe@GulfPointeProperties.com or www.GulfPointeProperties.com

 

 

Recent post

Divider Image

How to Avoid Buying a Home with Hidden Mold Issues

It's been a year since Hurricane Ian left its mark on SWFL, and the housing market is very active. But... read more

Just Listed! 6102 Augusta Dr #106 Fort Myers, FL 33907

Blog Post... read more

⛳ Fore-tunately, we had a tee-rific time at our BDT Event at Topgolf! 🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️ Swingin' clubs and making memories, we drove it home with style. Thanks to all who joined us for a hole lot of fun! 🎉🏌️‍♂️ #BDTTopGolfSwing #PartyTime #HoleInOneMemories #GulfPointeProperties

Brad Dohack Team Event at TopGolf!

⛳ Fore-tunately, we had a tee-rific time at our BDT Event at Topgolf! 🏌️‍♀️🏌️‍♂️ Swingin' clubs and making memories, we... read more

JUST SOLD! 14861 Summerlin Woods Dr #1

SOLD! 14861 Summerlin Woods Dr #1 is Off the Market. Don't Miss Out on Your Dream Home! Explore More Options... read more

8010 Via Sardinia Way #4122 Estero, FL 33928

Blog Post... read more

5862 Lancewood Way Naples, FL 34116

Blog Post... read more

14852 Crescent Cove Drive Fort Myers, FL 33908

  14852 Crescent Cove Dr., Fort Myers, FL Click here to Get Directions $900000 4 Beds - 3 Baths ... read more

4399 Bismark Way Naples, FL 34119

Blog Post... read more