Tenant cannot read

[Lelith Walker]

Hello:

For those of you who self manage remotely, how do you deal with tenants that can not read in any language? We have a slight situation in our Fort Lauderdale properties.   They can speak English and French but they cannot read.  They came with the property.  Lease needs to be renewed in which we are increasing the rent and demanding that the extra people they moved in, move out. 

I hate doing things verbally solely. 

[Joey Hak]

You must not discriminat a person for there lack of or no reading capabillity. You must treat every applicant equally as a landloard. It is up to the landloard to find a simple solution to a problem. 

I disagree about a tenant who is unable to read making a bad tenant.
Using the tenants references and work or income conformation are the best methods. If the tenant has lived there already the landlord should know how well the tenant takes care of the property. 

But for the tenant to understand the contract they are signing you can ask if they have a trusted person who can read the contract to them. Put in the contract who it was read by getting the readers signature and contact information.

You should always give a copy of the contract to the tenant for there records.

If the tenant can't find a reader they trust you can suggest paying for a reader to read to them. You don't have to pay for the reader but the tenant should pay. 

You dont have to go out of your way to find a reader for them. If they ask you to find one for them you can say there is to much conflict that can arise if I find someone for you. I would like you to find someone by youself but I can give you the number of a qualified reader. 

If you cant find a qualified reader say there are no qualified readers in our city. If you do tell them how much it will cost. They might be more willing to find a personal reader they trust such as a friend or family. 

Helping out a tenant shows you are willing to solve problems and you are a great landloard but you cant give money for everyones problems. If a tenant can't pay for a reader how can they pay rent. Another good quolification test you can do if your concerned about payments. 

Make it clear who is the tenant and who read the contract to avoid confusion. 

You might need to add that (tenant name)received contract information verbally by (readers name). 

I would sgguest getting a lawyer to make sure the contract is still legitimate in you country or state.

I go in great detail because I want others to be successful. If you do this buisness without doing your research you are asking for trubble. 

Best of luck.