Are you a careless tenant? If you’re not too sure, here are eight things that could make you one. Being a bad tenant can result in you being evicted, having your security deposit taken away, or even being barred from renting again. Make sure to avoid these risks if you don’t want to face the consequences!
- Not paying rent on time. This is most likely the first important factor in determining whether or not you will be a good tenant. If you fall behind on your rent, your Batesville property manager is perfectly within his or her rights to initiate eviction proceedings against you. Not just that, but struggling to pay your rent on time can endanger your credit score.
- Making too much noise or disturbing other tenants. Your landlord will have a lot of complaints against you if you’re always making noise or disturbing other tenants. The more grievances your landlord receives, the less likely they will be to renew your contract at the end of its term.
- Damaging the property or not taking care of it. A bad tenant can also have this common trait. Your landlord will have to spend money to repair the property if you damage it or do not take care of it. This ends up costing them some money, and they could even choose to keep your security deposit or, in severe situations, evict you.
- Not reporting maintenance and repair issues. Maintenance and repair issues that are not reported promptly can cost your landlord a lot of money. You also face the risk of causing any damage to your personal property as well as the house (think water leaks that turn into a flood!). This is why it’s important to notify your landlord right away if there are any issues.
- Having pets when you’re not supposed to. You may believe that it will go unnoticed by your landlord if you have pets when you aren’t supposed to, but they will find out. If your lease specifically forbids pets, this is a clear violation of the terms of your lease and it may get you evicted.
- Bringing in unauthorized guests. Unsanctioned guests or residents are given the same treatment. Your landlord should be aware of those living in your rental home for liability reasons, including extended family members who stay for extended periods of time. If things go wrong, unapproved guests can cause legal headaches to you and your landlord.
- Smoking inside or using drugs. Here is another sign of a bad tenant. If your lease explains that you cannot use drugs or smoke inside and you do it anyway, your landlord will be furious and may have you arrested (if the drugs are illegal) or evicted – or both.
- Ignore your lease terms. Ignoring any of your lease terms, as well as those we’ve already discussed, may cause you to think it won’t have an impact in the short term. However, your landlord will eventually discover this – and they will not be pleased. This could result in you receiving a warning or even being evicted from the property.
Be certain to avoid these things now that you know how not to be a bad tenant! Earning yourself poor recommendations or getting blacklisted, make it harder (if not impossible) to rent another home, and that is the last thing you need. If you are in the market for a new rental home, browse our listings. We can help you find a quality rental home in Batesville.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
