Welcome to the crazy world of property management, where “home sweet home” frequently turns into “home not so sweet home because it got redecorated.”
Oh the delights of being a property manager: collecting rent, maintaining properties, and discovering that your tenant has made the living room their own with numerous pieces of avant-garde abstract art.
Before you get on the phone to yell at them, take a minute to review what property damage can be, what your rights are, and how you can work towards resolving the issue.
We’re the leading cash home buyers in Milwaukee and we know the effective techniques you can use to handle damage in rental properties.
What Is Property Damage?
Let’s define what could be classified as property damage. If your tenant puts a hole in the wall, obviously that’s property damage. If they break the sink, toilet, or shower, property damage has occurred.
Some other examples of property damage include broken windows, unhinged doors, and ripped-up carpets.
Normal wear and tear, however, can’t be considered property damage. This is to be expected, as it’ll happen even if the tenant tries their very best to take care of the property. Damage, on the other hand, is specifically caused by a tenant’s actions.
Steps To Take When A Tenant Damages Your Property
- Assess The Damage: Decide whether or not the damage is serious. Once you determine this, you can start thinking about repair costs and restitution.
- Document Everything: When you are ready to make repairs, document everything. Take high-quality photos and videos of affected areas. This evidence will come in handy if you have to take legal action or make a claim with your insurance company.
- Get Quotes For Repairs: Contact contractors to see how much repairs will cost. Get numerous quotes to ensure you get the best deal. Also, elect to work with someone who can get the work done fast, so long as they know what they’re doing.
- Review The Lease Agreement: Check out the lease agreement to see what it says about property damage. The agreement will say what you’re entitled to and how damages should be redressed.
- Choose A Course Of Action: Depending on the nature and severity of the damage, you may determine it’s better to make repairs while the tenant isn’t present. If the damage is quite severe, it needs to be addressed right away, otherwise the problem could get worse. Other damages can be ignored until the lease expires.
Do You have A Right To Sue?
If your tenant is refusing to pay, and the damage is significant, then you may need to take them to court.
However, before you get legal proceedings in motion, make sure you got all the required paperwork in order. Also brush up on local laws so you know what to expect.
Conclusion
Being a landlord can be challenging, especially when you have to deal with property damage that’s caused by tenants.
But knowledge of how to proceed, coupled with thorough documentation and adherence to proper procedure, is likely to yield a favorable result. And always remember that communication is key. However, legal action may be necessary.
If the headaches of dealing with a tenant and property damage outweigh the benefits, you might want to sell. We at Metro Milwaukee Home Buyer specialize in purchasing rental homes as is.
We buy houses in Milwaukee, including those that have been damaged by tenants. You won’t have to spend a dime on repairs and we can close in two weeks or less. No commissions or closing costs!