Dealing with Anti-Social Tenants
As a landlord you will probably find at one point or another that you have unwittingly let your property out to tenants that are anti-social and uncaring of those that live near them. This can often be very difficult to manage, as if your tenants are rude in general they are probably not going to be very forthcoming when you tell them to change their ways! So here are some ideas of what you can do in these situations:
Talk to the Neighbours
If your tenants constantly play music loudly, have arguments in the small hours of the morning or generally just show little regard for those around them then you will probably find out from the neighbours. If you do receive a complaint from them make sure that you apologise, but understand that they may give you an earful – a broken night’s sleep is enough to put anyone in a bad mood! Assure the neighbours that you will talk to your tenants, and tell them they are more than welcome to contact you if the problems persist.
The Police
Unfortunately there are some tenants that will just not listen and carry on being anti-social no matter how many times you warn them. It is at this point that you may have to talk to the police and see if they can help by issuing an anti-social behaviour order that will require your tenants to be quiet during certain hours of the night by law. The police can also take away equipment such as music systems and televisions if your tenant is accused of constantly playing music or watching programmes at an inappropriate volume.
Evictions
If you have warned your tenants, had the police involved and yet they still do not respect your property or those that live near them then it’s probably best to call it quits and start the eviction process. If your tenants have breached their anti-social behavioural orders then you will find that the courts will probably be extremely helpful when it comes to repossessing your property, however this doesn’t mean you should scrimp on the paperwork. Make sure you do everything by the book such as issuing your tenants with a Section 21 notice and contacting your landlord insurance provider to let them know your plans.
Anti-social tenants are often a nightmare for landlords and anyone who lives nearby, so dealing with them quickly and in a business-like manner is the best thing to do. Remember, doing nothing will not only be bad for your business but also your reputation!