Although property management can be lucrative, it can also come with difficulties. One big concern of many rental property owners is potential damage caused by tenants, so here are some tips to help you deal with this situation.

Carrying out a background check and checking references before renting to anyone are important steps to take to minimize the possibility of renting to someone unreliable. However, sometimes even the best-behaved tenant can damage the property or belongings. In fact, studies suggest that rental property owners will likely have to deal with at least one destructive tenant at some point. Often, the damage isn’t deliberate; some tenants might neglect appliances, carpets, and other things that require regular cleaning or maintenance.

One way to lessen the chances of damage to your property, or at least to identify it before it gets worse, is to carry out an inspection of your rental property a couple of times each year. Of course, that will need to be written into the lease and clearly explained. Regular property inspections allow you to identify any damage or neglect sooner rather than later, and it also gives you some warning that you might not want to renew the lease for that tenant. In general, it’s the tenant’s responsibility to pay for any damage, unless specified otherwise in the lease, then as the owner, you have the right to deduct the cost of that damage from their security deposit.

One of the most stressful situations a property owner can have might be having a tenant who damages the property but refuses to leave. Evicting someone can be a costly and lengthy procedure, even if you have a good reason for doing so. Evicting a tenant usually starts with filing the eviction notice at the local courthouse, and some property management experts believe that it can cost at least $3,500 to evict someone who won’t leave your property. Another challenging situation is when a tenant destroys your property and then leaves. It can cost you a lot in lost rental income, as well as the actual cost of repairing the damage. In this case, suing for damages might be a good approach. Of course, you’re also entitled to keep the security deposit, but sometimes it isn’t enough to cover all the damages. Before you do anything, take detailed pictures of the damage and document everything as best you can.

Property management isn’t always easy, but here at Specialized Property Management Tampa, we strive to make it easier for you. We take care of everything from tenant screening to dealing with the damage and performing maintenance. For more information, contact us online!