Whilst we all know the importance of having a watertight tenancy agreement in place, now and again, tenants do break the rules. So what can landlords actually do to prevent tenants breaching the rules outlined in their contract?
Research has revealed that 1 in 7 tenants breach the rules of their tenancy agreement, which leads to them being forced to face the consequences, be it losing their deposit or even eviction! These breaches include not paying rent (at all or on time), not declaring smokers, pets and causing damage to the property.
Never fear besieged landlords. We’ve compiled a helpful guide to ensure your tenants stick to the rules!
Be clear from the start: Make sure when looking for clients, your adverts clearly state any rules that you feel strongly about – for example looking for non-smoking or pet-free tenants only.
Put everything in writing: It is so important to have a written tenancy agreement for your tenants. Not only will they be legally required to pay rent, but it will also clearly outline what is and what isn’t allowed in the property. It’s a good idea to sit down with the tenants and go through their contract so both parties can be sure that they are clear on what the rules expect.
Communicate with your tenants: Whilst no landlord wants to be a nuisance, you’re within your rights to make visits to the property to ensure it’s being looked after. If you establish a good, trusting relationship with your tenants they will also be less likely to want to break any of the rules.
Keep it simple: Try not to make too many rules. Keep it simple and fair. Remember that happy tenants are more likely to stay in your property long term, so don’t drive them away with too many strict rules and regulations. You may need to be flexible and compromise in some instances. Is a rabbit hutch in the garden really worth the time and effort of finding new, pet-free tenants?
