Handling Problematic Multifamily Tenants

If you already have invested into a Multifamily Property, you should already have some tenants living within it, and some of them may already be causing you trouble by now.

Problematic tenants are those within your property who disrupt the flow of profit and the way of living in your building in the first place. Examples of these are tenants who haven’t paid rent and who create chaos, or habitually destroy bits of your property

Unless you do something soon, these tenants will only continue to bring trouble.

Here how you can handle these problematic tenants within your multifamily property:

Non-paying Tenants

The first and most common type of problematic tenants are those who don’t or refuse to pay rent each month.

This kind of problem tends to start small, a missed month, some excuses here and there. But it all eventually leads to stacks of unpaid days the longer it goes and the more you allow it to happen within your property. Hence, why you should communicate and discuss financial issues with your tenant as soon as possible.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to money. And sometimes you’ll have to understand your tenant can have money problems as well, but at the same time, you have to let them know that they can’t just stay in your multifamily property without paying either.

Try setting up some structured payment options, or have the tenant move to a unit that costs less than their current place. As much as possible, try to create compromises that benefit both of you in the end.

Chaotic Tenants

These kinds of tenants tend to be a bit more problematic than those with money issues.

Sometimes, you won’t even know what their issues are. And you probably never will. These tenants are chaotic in the sense that their activities or actions tend to disrupt the neighborhood and especially other peaceful tenants in your multifamily property.

You may need to have a face-to-face with these kinds of tenants, try to see how they work, and come to understand their motivation. See if you can figure out the root of their problem firsthand and only extend your hand for assistance when necessary. Be kind, yet firm when you let them know their tomfoolery needs to stop.

It might get difficult, and they will most certainly argue with you. But remain calm, and civil. Don’t make the problem worse by escalating what may be a minor situation. Try getting the problematic tenant on your side, and it may very well benefit the entire multifamily property as a whole.

You need to consider these options before you put the eviction hammer down, yes, it would get rid of the problem quicker, but you have to remember that your tenants are your tenants. They’re people living within your multifamily complex and you need to treat them as such.

Don’t let problematic tenants be the end for your multifamily property. Let them be stepping stones to the beginning of success!