- Maintenance issues
- Appliances issues
- Rent worries
- Pests
- Safety
- Communication breakdowns
- Noisy Tenants
- Privacy Violations
- Unaddressed complaints and rental disputes
Many property owners are perplexed as to why their tenants never sign new leases. Yet, it is simple to understand why, if you take a thorough look at your rental property’s condition. Disagreements over maintenance and repairs rank among the top reasons tenants vacate rented homes.
Simply put, tenants dislike residing in a run-down, poorly maintained apartment. They choose to pack up and move out because many, many better possibilities for renting French apartments are available.
What are the most frequent complaints from tenants that landlords and their property managers come across? These are the top eight, without further ado.
1. Maintenance issues
Problem: By far, tenants most frequently complain about maintenance issues, which range from problems with water heaters and furnaces to plumbing and water backups, as well as normal wear and tear. All rental homes need maintenance and sporadic repairs.
Solution: That said, response time is arguably the most important component in these kinds of complaints. To some level, maintenance problems are unavoidable, so how a property manager/landlord handles them when they arise matters greatly.
2. Appliances issues
Problem: This issue might fall under maintenance, but it happens frequently enough to deserve its own category. Some of the most common complaints from renters that landlords receive are regarding old or broken appliances.
Solution: As with other maintenance problems, prompt response and resolution are essential.
If the apartment already has appliances, landlords are usually responsible for them. Sometimes, however, a landlord can put a clause in a lease agreement saying that the tenant will be in charge of any appliance replacement or maintenance, even if the appliances come with the unit. If your contract assigns you maintenance and repair responsibility for malfunctioning appliances, be sure you fulfill your half of the bargain.
3. Rent worries
Problem: Tenants might also express dissatisfaction with the deadlines for rent payments or the increases in rent prices, which can be addressed in a few different ways.
Solution: First and foremost, landlords must set clear expectations right from the start. Informing tenants about rent payment deadlines and setting a convenient payment process encourages timely payments. For rent increases, there is the option of locking in a rate for a longer-term lease or simply a lease agreement clause that allows rent increases annually.
4. Pests
Problem: Another apartment issue is dealing with pests, like bed bugs and other rodents. Pests come from anywhere—tenants can even bring them into the unit from the outside. For example, bedbugs often spread from one unit to another.
Solution: It’s best to call an exterminator as soon as you notice or suspect their presence. Tackle these concerns promptly to prevent a pest problem from escalating into a full-blown infestation. The best strategy is to have pest control services on standby whenever the need arises.
5. Safety
Although we may always suggest security systems, the key solution in this situation is ensuring the property is in good condition (all the locks are functional, the windows close and lock correctly, and the exterior lighting is in good shape).
Offering tenant insurance is an excellent additional means of supporting tenants’ safety. Renter’s insurance can ease concerns about potential hazards and protect them from unforeseen revenue loss or property damage.
6. Communication breakdowns
A communication breach might lead to serious problems. Tenants may find it annoying to rent from someone who never picks up the phone or takes a long time to reply to emails.
Tenants may be discouraged from signing a lease renewal if they receive no response or if communication is delayed over and over again. After all, tenants want to rent from someone they can rely on.
The secret to ensuring people are satisfied is to set clear expectations early on and notify them regularly of significant updates. Every interaction, from the lease agreement to the renewal notice and move-out instructions, ensures tenants receive care and value from the landlord.
7. Noisy Tenants
Problem: One of the most prevalent issues facing landlords is frequent noise complaints. Various problems might be called “noise problems,” including building projects, noisy neighbors, and even tenants with different schedules.
Solution: Resolving the issue can be difficult. You can encourage your tenant to resolve the situation, or you can address the problem with the property owner who caused the disturbances in the first place. Thankfully, this problem has a simple solution—respond and address.
8. Privacy Violations
Tenants are entitled to privacy; if they believe it is being intruded upon, the landlord could face complaints due to privacy issues. If a landlord must enter a rented property for maintenance or inspection purposes or any other reason, a tenant should be notified in advance—within 24 to 48 hours before entering.
9. Unaddressed complaints and rental disputes
Occasionally, severe conflicts may arise between tenants and property managers or landlords. However, both sides should be aware of French legislation and consult a legal professional regarding landlords’ and tenants’ rights in such circumstances.
A landlord’s role should not involve avoiding all problems because tenant issues are bound to arise despite having a lease agreement in place; instead, the focus should be on a proactive approach—on preventing problems before they escalate.
Dealing with tenant issues is part of the bigger picture for landlords since, as you know, there are tenant problems, and there are tenants who are the problem.
So, how to navigate these tricky situations?
There are a few different ways to handle disagreements.
Addressing issues directly whenever possible clearly makes sense if only to avoid the emotional and financial costs that can occur when matters spiral out of control and fall into the hands of third parties.
