How to Deal with a Demanding Tenant

Some tenants are dream tenants, treating the home as if it is their own. They only bother the owner for necessary repairs and pay the rent on time. Other tenants are nightmare tenants, destroying the property and not paying on time. There are also tenants that fall somewhere in the middle. One of these types in the demanding tenant. The demanding tenant generally pays the rent on time, but they want attention from the landlord that is above and beyond the call of duty. Here is a guide for dealing with a demanding tenant.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Spot the demanding tenant. Beginning with the first showing of the unit, you will be able to determine a demanding tenant. They will look at every nook and cranny of the unit and inspect and it will look as if they are going to purchase it. This person knows quality when they see it, and will and will be verbal when something does not meet their standards. If you can meet their standards, you do will want to rent to this tenant as they will take care of the unit, and in most cases will pay their rent on time.
2. Spell out what you will and will not do in the lease. Whether your tenant is demanding or not, you lease should make it clear, what they are and what they are not entitled to. Spell out the utilities you will pay for and which you will not. Spell out what yard work you will do, and what you expect them to do. Spell out what home repair qualifies as an emergency, and what you will get to when you can.
3. Give them a special after-hours emergency only number. Do not answer your normal business number after hours. Make if clear that if they call the emergency number for a non-emergency that they will be charged a fee.
   Demand requests for non emergency repairs in writing. This way you are not arguing over verbal agreements.
4. Decide if the non emergency repair is necessary. Not everything your demanding tenant requests in necessary or financially feasible to take care of. If the item does not limit your tenants’ ability to use the unit safely, then it is not really necessary. Some things you do not have to do even if you tenant requests it are repainting upon move in when touch up painting and cleaning will do, replacing a carpet because a previous tenant left a minor stain, or any aesthetic change to suit the tenants taste.
5. Respond to all written demands for non emergency repairs. First address items you do not plan to fix and tell them why. Second, give them a timeline of when you will make repairs that are necessary for the tenant to be able to be comfortable in the home.
6. Give the tenant options. A demanding tenant will not take a "no" lying down. Instead of saying "no, I will not change that ugly light fixture." You can say, "feel free to have that light fixture professionally changed, but remember any changes you make to the unit will be considered permanent." If they want to paint, however, let them know that they are responsible for damage to the flooring and must paint to room back to a specified neutral color before moving.