Literally anyone can be a landlord–there aren’t any certifications, training or background checks done on those who lease property. That means that sometimes a good tenant can get stuck with a bad landlord. However, when things start to go downhill, there are some things that can be done to protect the renter. If a landlord isn’t on the up and up, keep these 5 tips in mind.
1. Know–and Exercise–Legal Power
Renting laws vary state by state, but all of the information is publicly available. There are very strict laws when it comes to evictions, entering the property and grace periods. The most powerful tool a renter can have is legal knowledge and professionally demonstrating that to a landlord. The landlord may or may not know all of the legalese, but he’ll back off if he thinks the tenant is well informed.
2. Always Operate with Checks and Receipts
Never give a landlord cash and, even when writing a check, demand a receipt of payment. Having a paper trail is a renter’s best defense if a landlord decides to say rent hasn’t been paid. There should be a system in place where the renter automatically gets a receipt monthly, preferably in tangible form (not via email).
3. Demand to Meet in Person
Sometimes a landlord really can’t meet a tenant in person, like it the landlord lives overseas or is traveling for work. However, there should be someone the renter can meet with when deciding whether to lease a property or not. If there’s been no formal in-person meeting with anyone, steer clear of that property.
4. Keep All Leasing Documents
There should be a lot of paperwork when renting a property from the walk-through of current damages to the terms of the lease. Make sure these documents are kept in a safe place and preferably scanned to be kept in cloud storage. These legal papers should be carefully looked at and stored because they outline the terms that might come under fire.
5. Move
Very few properties are worth dealing with a nightmare landlord. It’s easier, more comfortable and often cheaper to simply move than to try to work things out. An individual landlord is much more difficult than a company specializing in property management in San Diego. Whenever possible, go through a company rather than an individual for a more professional experience.
Renting can be tough, but there’s no reason to get stuck in a bad situation. Know the rights of tenants from the start.
