Entering into a lease or rental agreement with your tenants is a property management best practice. It protects you from financial losses and gives you great control over the property.
However, having a lease agreement is only one part of the equation. The other part is enforcing the lease. A lease agreement, written or not, is of little help if the landlord isn't keen on enforcing it.
As a rental property owner in Atlanta, you have to take lease enforcement seriously. You're in the right place if you don't know how to go about it. This article shares some helpful tips to point you in the right direction.
Draw a Clear Lease Agreement
A lease agreement binds the landlord and the tenant to the terms and conditions therein. Unfortunately, some landlords don't draw comprehensive leases. They end up with a half-baked lease that doesn't cover all the bases.
With such a lease, you could face problems during enforcement. Tenants will easily argue they didn't know they were violating the lease by doing something that wasn't included in the lease they signed.
Therefore, be sure to develop a lease agreement that captures all the terms, rules, and violations.
Document Everything
Lease violations are part and parcel of rental property management. Even the most well-intentioned tenants will from time to time do something that's against the lease terms and conditions.
It's important to document all lease violations that occur regardless of their nature. A renter who has otherwise been your best tenant can go rogue. If you've been documenting their lease violations, you'll be able to build a strong case for taking the necessary action against them.
Take photos and record videos of a violation, such as cases of property damage, where possible. Otherwise, keep a written record of complaints and other instances.
Address Violations Promptly
Sometimes landlords encourage bad tenant behavior by taking too long to address a lease violation. The offender can assume that you don't care about what they do as long as they are paying their rent duly.
That's why you should address a violation as soon as it occurs. It's recommended to send a written notice of the violation so that you have a physical record. In the notice, describe the exact terms of the lease that have been violated, and the actions (if any) that the renter needs to take. Inform them of the potential consequences of repeat violations.
Get Professional Lease Enforcement Help
As a DIY landlord, you already have too many responsibilities. Although lease enforcement is one of the most important, it's also one of those that take most of your time and energy.
If it's becoming too demanding for you, you can always hire a property management firm to take care of enforcing rental agreements on your behalf.
Take a Different Approach to Rental Property Management
Even with the best tenant compliance strategies, lease violations will always occur. Lease enforcement can become stressful, especially if you're self-managing the property.
It's time to take a smart approach to property management. That's where HNN Atlanta Inc., comes in. We are a full-service property management company serving landlords in Atlanta, GA. Our no-nonsense approach to taking care of your investment will ensure lease violations become a thing of the past.
Contact us today to set up a consultation.
