Did you know that proper lease enforcement can prevent the costly and time-consuming process of evicting tenants? If lease enforcement feels like a heavy word to you as an owner or manager, it doesn't have to be. Think of it as using the least amount of force possible to keep every party to the lease agreement happy and on good terms.
Effective lease enforcement involves timely and consistent actions to ensure all parties stick to the terms of the rental agreement. Here are four lease compliance tips for a smoother tenancy and better tenant relations.
1. Have a Detailed Lease Agreement
Lease agreements can have surprisingly few terms and still be valid. However, it's always best to write all your requirements at the start of the tenancy.
Examples of key property management enforcement-type terms you could put in include:
- Your security deposit policy
- Enforcement standards, policies, and penalties
- Grounds for eviction
- Dispute resolution clauses
You don't have to overengineer your policies for your rental agreement enforcement strategies to be effective. Simply restating your legal rights as an owner or property manager is sufficient.
Ensure you understand and explain these terms in detail before your tenants sign. This step increases compliance and reduces the risks of disputes escalating if there are problems.
2. Be as Present as Possible
It's essential to communicate effectively and consistently. This entails clearly explaining your point of view and being open to receiving communication.
Be sure to read and promptly respond to your tenants' messages. This will help in the following ways:
- You'll be able to address problems sooner
- Your tenants will feel that it's easier working with you
- You have time to create lease violation solutions without needing to use harder enforcement measures (penalties and evictions)
3. Enforce What's on the Books
Consider it your duty to enforce penalties as soon as tenants are in serious breach. It doesn't only save your interests; it prevents them from creating a situation where they'll end up with massive liabilities or debts.
North Carolina law also gives landlords residual rights they can use to protect themselves, even if those mechanisms aren't in the lease agreement. To use these, remember to:
- First, exhaust all your other options
- Second, consult an attorney
- Lastly, let your attorney do the heavy lifting
4. Background Checks, AKA. Proactive Lease Enforcement
If you're looking for new tenants, you have the luxury of being able to screen applicants. Screening allows you to see if prospective tenants have a history of paying rent on time, good credit, and whether they'll be easier to work with.
Since most lease enforcement issues come down to late rent or property damage, tenant checks allow you to select to avoid these problems proactively.
Explore a Wealth of Tenant Compliance Strategies
If you want an unbeatable lease enforcement approach, be sure to implement these four tips:
- Write a comprehensive lease agreement
- Be present (communicate well and do regular inspections)
- Enforce your policies promptly and efficiently
- Use tenant screening to your advantage
Many owners find enforcing their lease's terms easier when working with a property manager. Whether you need property management advice or an agent to stand in the gap, PMI Mountain and Main have what you need.
Contact us today for leadership and management experience backed by decades of hard work.
