Do you have tenants who just aren’t paying rent? It’s one of the most frustrating aspects of being a landlord. In this article, we’ll talk about how Connecticut landlords are dealing with tenants who don’t pay rent…
If you have tenants who aren’t paying rent then you’re facing the same dilemma that many landlords go through at least once. It’s frustrating and unfortunately, your options are limited. Here’s how Connecticut landlords are dealing with tenants who don’t pay rent.
Of course, the best defense is a good offense – meaning that if you are careful about doing a background check on your tenants, and if you have a contract, then those things will help you. But here are your other options…
#1. Avoid the situation
You could avoid the situation and hope they pay. This is definitely not the best option but it is an option that many landlords take. You can just ignore it and hope they’ll pay on time next month and maybe even catch up. Frankly, it may not happen (it rarely does) but it could happen so we’re including it here as a possibility. When dealing with tenants who don’t pay rent, we don’t recommend this option. If you try to avoid the situation, most tenants won’t look at your lack of enforcement as a time extension for rent. Rather, they look at it as a weak landlord who won’t stand up and enforce the rental agreement. That can easily makes things spiral out of control If the landlord doesn’t enforce rent being paid on time, what else can the tenants get away with? Can they have pets when they aren’t supposed to? Can they paint rooms and make interior alterations without permission? Not only this, but if you are a landlord who has multiple tenants in mulitple floors, what if the word spreads to your other tenants. If the other tenants find out that a fellow tenant is behind on payments with no penalties, maybe they should stop paying too? Now you are running a free room and board charity and not an investment property!
#2. Negotiate
You could negotiate with them because maybe they just need a different payment schedule. Not everyone can pay easily each month; some renters can pay better by the week because it’s a smaller payment. Or maybe you can get them to do some work around the property in exchange for a discount on the rent. If you choose to negotiate with your tenant, make sure you get an agreement from them that works for both of you, otherwise, you’ll just feel even more frustrated!
#3. Evict
You can try to evict them, although be aware that this can be a complicated, time-consuming process that may involve some legal hassles too. Eviction is very difficult to do, especially since many laws favor the tenant over the landlord. It may be worth doing this in the long-run, though, if you can get a paying tenant into your rental property.
#4. Sell
Another option is to sell. If this is just one of many frustrations you’re facing with your rental property then it could be your best option! Just imagine selling the property and getting on with your life – and not having to deal with tenants their annoying troubles any longer. Many landlords love the new-found freedom they get when they sell.
At Fair Home Offers CT, LLC we buy frustrating rental properties from landlords like you who are burned out, worn out, frustrated, and who just want to get their lives back.