Spend some time getting to know your tenants secrets and you may find out the information they are reluctant to reveal to their landlord.
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They probably aren’t living alone (at least not all of the time)
—most tenants will have people stay for extended periods of time. Some even goes as far as never listing additional habitants on the lease.
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They have a pet
—recently I had a curious tenant call us and ask what the limits and parameters on pet deposits in her state. Turns out her landlord was going to charge her $400 per pet. With three cats the resident decided to lie and wait to move the cats on to the property after signing the lease. $1,200 was not something she could afford.
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They broke something big
—tenants won’t want to own up to breaking something, especially if it is a major appliance or something expensive to replace. Schedule a regular walk through with your residents and make sure you evaluate the big ticket items.
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They patched holes with toothpaste
—blame Pinterest or an old wives tale but whatever the reason your tenants have probably made some strange repairs to things. See #4 and plan on doing a complete inspection of the rental when the lease expires.
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They think the 4 day grace period for rent means it’s actually due the 5th
—save the time, hassle and aggravation. Make rent due on the 5th and on the 6th day begin charging a late fee. Stick to your guns and have those fees start incurring right away.
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They don’t plan on renewing the lease
— most residents won’t tell you they don’t plan on renewing the lease because they assume you’ll want to find a new tenant. Ask them if they are interested in renewing 30 days out from the terms ending. If they are a quality tenant inviting them to renew might be worth it.
Spend some time getting to know your new residents. The more comfortable they feel around you the more likely they’ll be honest with you.
Happy Renting!