As a new landlord, you have a lot to learn about taking care of tenants and property. Maybe you already anticipate disputes with a new resident. How should you respond in a way that protects your rights and your tenant’s rights without feeling walked over?
AllBusiness.com offers several strategies for untangling landlord/tenant conflict. Get ahead of a potential disaster well before it sparks.
Brush up on the law
If you have not already, familiarize yourself with landlord and tenant laws in Texas. Specifically, learn your obligations and rights as a landlord and your tenants’ obligations and rights. Knowing when one party inches closer to crossing a legal line may help sidestep disputes.
Talk with your tenants
When issues arise, schedule a time to meet with your tenants rather than try to resolve the issue over email or text messages. Let your resident know you want to have an in-depth, candid discussion to get to the root of the issue and create a mutually beneficial solution together. Speaking face-to-face adds a layer of non-verbal nuance that you may miss in electronic communication.
Focus on staying calm
You may encounter an infuriating tenant, but succumbing to anger only makes the issue worse. If you feel yourself growing upset, cool off before responding or engaging with the other person.
Keep thorough documentation
If your dispute escalates, you may have no choice but to go to court. If so, having documentation of the dispute, actions taken and communication may prove instrumental in resolving the matter. Letting a problematic tenant know you keep such records may compel the person to back off.
You must elevate your problem-solving skills when you become a landlord. They may help you maintain your sanity.
