Wether you hire a property management company or are a DIY landlord, keeping your tenants happy goes a long way. Building a good landlord-tenant relationship will help you retain your tenants for longer, which will ensure your rental property remains profitable in the long run. One of the best ways to keep your tenants happy is to resolve their complaints promptly.
Some common tenant complaints we will cover in this article include maintenance and repairs issues, noise complaints, and parking issues. Timely resolution of these problems will show your tenants you care for their well-being and the habitability of your property.
It can help you build a reputation as a responsible and attentive landlord, which can help you attract more tenants in the future. That’s why it’s crucial that you know how to solve the most common complaints that arise.
In this guide, the experts at Legacy Realty & Management will go over the top tenant complaints landlords have to deal with. Keep reading to learn our best tips and tricks to solve them!
The Most Common Tenant Complaints and Their Solutions
Tenant complaints are an unavoidable part of owning a rental property. Even if you’re an attentive and proactive landlord, your tenants are bound to have issues that need assistance at some point during their tenancy.
Below are the most common complaints landlords face and how to solve them quickly and effectively.
1. Maintenance and Repair Issues
Unaddressed maintenance and repair issues can signify a huge loss for your rental business. After all, poor maintenance is one of the leading causes of tenant turnover.
Not solving this kind of complaint promptly can be a breach of local landlord-tenant laws since landlords are legally required to keep their property in clean and habitable condition throughout a tenancy.
Whether it’s something small like a leaky faucet or a bigger problem, such as a damaged roof, you must always deal with maintenance and repair complaints promptly. It’s a good idea to have the number of a reliable contractor on speed dial so that you can quickly deal with urgent repairs.
You can take a proactive approach to maintenance by conducting regular property inspections. This ensures your rental is always in good shape and minimizes the likelihood of emergency repairs.
2. Noise Complaints
Noise disruptions, such as construction work, loud parties, or dogs barking at all hours, can have a negative effect on your tenant’s quality of life. If the issue persists long enough, it can even make your tenants reconsider living on your property.
When dealing with noise complaints, it’s important that you take the time to inspect the issue. This will help you find the cause and try to find a solution. In most cases, talking with the offended party to request they keep the noise down will work.
However, we recommend that landlords check their local laws concerning noise limits. If the issue persists, you might have to speak with local authorities to figure out the next steps you should take.
If you own a multi-family dwelling or apartment complex, consider adding a noise regulation clause to all your leases. This can help you keep noise complaints to a minimum.
3. Pet Complaints
Pets can be a common cause of tenant complaints. Barking dogs can cause excessive noise disturbances, and aggressive pets can be a danger. If a tenant comes to you with a complaint against a pet, the best course of action is to talk with the owner, whether it’s a neighbor or another tenant.
This way, you can find a solution to the problem that works well for all parties involved. In the worst-case scenario, you might have to contact local authorities to deal with the issue.
If you’re considering allowing pets in your rental, be sure to have a thorough pet screening process in place. This can help you avoid common issues such as excessive barking or aggressive pets, minimizing the likelihood of complaints.
4. Security Concerns
If you don’t resolve security complaints promptly, your tenants are more likely to leave early. After all, no one wants to live in a place where they feel unsafe. The best way to avoid complaints concerning the safety of your tenants is to invest in security measures for your property.
Quality locks, security cameras, and adequate exterior lighting go a long way in keeping your tenants and your investment safe.
5. Pest Infestations
Pest infestations can drive your tenants away and negatively affect the value of your property. If your tenants ever voice concerns about a possible pest infestation, you must act quickly.
Hire a professional exterminator to inspect the property and deal with pests if needed. Additionally, you can consider investing in pest control services at least once a year.
6. Parking Disputes
If you own a multi-unit property, you may have to manage parking disputes. Most of the time, these issues happen because of inadequate or unassigned parking spaces.
Having clear parking policies can help you avoid parking disputes altogether. Whenever a new tenant moves in, let them know the number of parking spaces they’re allowed to use. Even better, specify which spaces they can and cannot park.
7. Complaints About the Lease Agreement
A unclear lease agreement have the potential to create issues down the line. That’s why it’s crucial that you write a solid rental agreement with clearly outlined policies concerning the rent prices, renewal policies, acceptable levels of noise, and pets.
Bottom Line
Knowing how to effectively solve tenant complaints goes a long way in keeping them happy. Now that you know how to solve the most common tenant complaints, you have a higher chance of retaining tenants for longer. This ensure that your rental is profitable for the long run!
Need help dealing with tenant complaints in a timely and cost-effective manner so that your rental business is always profitable? Contact Legacy Realty & Management today! With over two decades of experience, we’re one of the best property management companies in the Dallas Metro area.
