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What To Do When a Tenant Trashes Your Rental Property

Traction Home Offer • Sep 02, 2022

What To Do When a Tenant Trashes Your Rental Property

When we invest in rental property, our goal is to find something that's going to be a great investment. That means finding a house that has a solid foundation, is well-maintained, and is a good fit for the area. All of these things matter but what we don't want is a tenant who trashes the property and then blames us for his problems.

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Rental property owners who have been victimized by an unruly tenant can face many challenges. The biggest challenge that they face is trying to get their property back on track after the damage has occurred. While many of the points in this article can help you deal with the immediate aftermath of a tenant dispute, some of them require a little more finesse. The following tips will help you find the best way to approach the situation and a better chance of resolving your disputes without resorting to court action.


Your house becomes their personal playground, where things just fall apart. It’s your responsibility to keep it in a presentable state. However, in some cases, tenants aren't careless or malicious, but simply don't know how to take care of a rental property. In these instances, you might need to be more proactive in your approach to tenant education.


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Identify the Source of the Problem

This is the first step towards any kind of trouble you are facing from a tenant. You need to know exactly what is causing the problem so that you can put a stop to it as quickly as possible. In some cases, it's obvious, such as a broken window, a hole in the wall, paint splattered everywhere, or garbage strewn about. Anything that is out of the ordinary and seems to be a result of carelessness or neglect should be investigated. However, you must have to analyze first whether the tenant is actually responsible for the damages or not.


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Communicate With Your Tenant

Even in wars, there are ceasefires and times when the fighting stops so that both sides can talk. The same is true with tenant disputes. Sometimes, all it takes is a face-to-face meeting or a phone call to sort things out. This should be your first step in trying to resolve the problem. Even if the relationship with the tenant is already strained, it's important to try to communicate before taking any further action. Maybe the tenant is going through a tough time and just needs a little understanding. A table talk can help you to identify the root of the problem and come up with a solution that will work for both parties.

Inspection of the Property

Landlords get upset when they see their property in a state of disarray. We know it's not easy to keep a place clean and tidy all the time, but it's a basic expectation we have of our tenants. Usually, landlords find themselves in this position when they either didn't do a proper walk-through of the property before the tenant moved in or they didn't document the condition of the property at that time. 


Conduct a thorough inspection of the property with the tenant present so that you can point out any damages and come to an agreement about who is responsible for what. You should take control of the situation and not allow the tenant to dictate the terms of the inspection.


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Evaluate the Damages

As an owner, you have the right to expect that your property will be returned to you in the same condition as when the tenant moved in, minus normal wear and tear. But certainly, here we aren't discussing minor issues like a loose door handle, a cracked tile, or a small stain on the carpet. We are talking about significant damage that will cost you time and money to repair. You have to minimize your losses by fixing the problem as soon as possible so that it doesn't get worse and costs you even more money.

Know Your Rights as a Landlord

Your rights as a landlord are spelled out in your state's landlord-tenant laws. These laws vary from state to state, so it's important that you know what they are before taking any action against a tenant. In some states, the law is very tenant-friendly, while in others, it favors the landlord more. Either way, you need to be aware of rules and regulations so that you don't inadvertently do something that could get you into legal trouble.

Issue a Warning

Bad tenants need to be put on notice that their actions are not acceptable and they need to shape up or ship out. This is usually done in the form of a warning letter. The letter should state what the problem is and what the consequences will be if the tenant doesn't correct the situation. For example, if the tenant is regularly throwing parties, leaving garbage around the property, or causing other disturbances, the letter should state that the tenant needs to stop this behavior immediately or they will be evicted.

Document Everything

A simple conversation might not just be enough to get your point across to the tenant. You need to take things a step further and put it all in writing. From the moment when talks of damages arise, start documenting everything. This includes taking pictures or videos of the damage, keeping records of any conversations you have with the tenant (including dates and times), and sending written notices. By doing this, you will have a clear and concise way to present your case if the matter ends up in court.

Take Legal Action

If the tenant doesn't heed your warning and continues to damage the property or disturb the peace, then the landlord's last resort is to take legal action. This usually means filing an eviction lawsuit. The eviction process can be complicated and time-consuming, so it's crucial that you have all your ducks in a row before taking this step. You will need to prove that the tenant has violated their lease agreement and you've given them ample opportunity to correct the problem.


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Contact your Insurance Company

Insurance companies are in the business of protecting their customers from financial loss. This is their bread and butter, so contact your insurance company for covering the damages and losses. Many landlords have what's called landlord insurance, which is a special type of policy that covers damages caused by tenants. You have to submit key documents, like the lease agreement, photos of the damage, property condition reports, and estimates for repairs. The insurance company will then determine if you are covered and how much they will pay out.


Tenants who turn to trash rental properties only make the rental market worse for everyone. Chances are, as a landlord, you’ve put a lot of time and money into your rental property and screening tenants. But despite your best efforts, you may get tenants that end up seriously damaging your rental property either accidentally or on purpose. (
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Take a deep breath and try to remain calm. It's normal to get upset and emotional when you see the damage, but you have to take a step back and look at the situation objectively. To avoid such pain, do a thorough background check on all applicants and establish clear rules and expectations from the beginning. If you are ready to sell the property,
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