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With their rental property being such a significant source of income to many landlords, it’s no wonder that keeping it damage-free is so important. Certain amenities that are attractive to tenants can come with heavy costs should they be damaged at all.  

The reality is that every landlord should expect some level of damage to their property. By the simple nature of the tenant’s occupation of the space, you can expect normal wear and tear. In addition, there is the negligence that is bound to happen should you lease your space to a bad tenant. 

To help you avoid property damages, the team from Superior West Property Management has put together this article. We’ll provide a comprehensive and in-depth management strategy to handle tenant damages. 

Normal Wear & Tear Vs. Tenant Damage 

Before we describe any strategy that you can implement on your property, we must first distinguish these two issues. Normal wear and tear is very different from tenant damage. Being able to distinguish the difference will help you maintain your reputation as a fair landlord and also help in apportioning the security deposit for any damages. 

Normal wear and tear can be defined as the natural deterioration that occurs on a property. With a tenant’s regular use of the building, the development will experience some level of wear and tear. On the flip side, we have tenant damage. This is damage caused by the tenant as a result of misuse, negligence, carelessness, and abuse. 

Tenant damage to the property can be directly caused by the tenant, one of their guests, or a pet. 

Causes Of Tenant Damage 

Let’s outline some of the common causes of tenant property damage: 

Negligence 

While they are not the owners of the property, tenants need to show the unit or property some level of care. It is the tenant’s responsibility to report small issues before they grow into major repair problems. 

Lack of Property Maintenance Expertise 

However, we understand that not all tenants have the expertise and knowledge needed to spot maintenance issues. These are home maintenance skills that can also be obtained through experience or training.

A tenant may not know whether the HVAC is performing optimally or not. Plumbing issues are another serious problem that can break down slowly without the tenant’s knowledge. 

Pets

We appreciate the fact that a growing population of tenants are now pet owners. But that comes at a great cost to landlords. Pets such as cats, dogs, and birds can cause significant damage to floors, walls, carpets, and blinds. 

Accidental Damage 

There is always the possibility of accidents happening on the property. This can vary from spills on the floors to broken window panes and damage to the kitchen cabinets. 

Lack of Housekeeping 

Don’t underestimate the power of regular housekeeping to maintain the condition of the premises. Should the tenant lack a regular cleaning culture, you can expect dust, dirt, and grime to accumulate everywhere. This can result in significant repair and maintenance costs in the future. 

Tips To Prevent Tenant Damages 

There are several strategies that you can employ to help you minimize property damage in the long run: 

Tenant Screening 

As a landlord, you can shield yourself from many of these issues by conducting comprehensive tenant screening. Screening involves assessing the character, history, and financial capability of a potential tenant. 

During the screening process, you will request documentation to back up the tenant’s application. This involves rental history information, criminal records, and references. You should be able to select the best possible tenant in an unbiased and fair examination of all potential candidates. 

Comprehensive Lease Agreements 

Another reason why tenants have their way on properties is the lack of a comprehensive and detailed lease agreement. Who is meant to care for repairs? What are the penalties for property damage?

All of this should be clear in the lease agreement. A comprehensive lease agreement sets a high expectation for the tenant and avoids confusion. 

Inspection of the Property

Just because you’ve leased to a quality tenant doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t inspect the premises. You should set up a regular inspection process that allows you to assess the condition of the property from time to time. An inspection should also be done when the tenant is moving in or vacating. 

You should be aware that a tenant has the right to enjoy quiet enjoyment of the space. While you might want to regularly inspect the premises, this should be within the confines of the law. 

Education

As we mentioned earlier, not all tenants have the knowledge and expertise when it comes to property maintenance. While you might have expectations, your expectations might exceed what the tenant has to offer. 

Offer tips on how the tenant can inspect and perform tasks. We recommend that you initiate this education from the beginning, during the walkthrough inspection of the premises. And should they have any questions during the term of the lease, they should be able to reach you at any time.

Security Deposits 

The security deposit serves the purpose of protecting your interests. You will be able to cover potential property damages to the unit. Remember that you should be able to differentiate what is property damage and what is normal wear and tear. 

The amount of deposit that you can charge is often detailed in state law. Should they have a pet, you can usually charge a pet security deposit. 

Conclusion 

Are you a landlord with a rental property in Corona, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, Perris, or Moreno Valley? You will need an experienced and expert company by your side to help you with your daily property needs. 

Superior West Property Management is the company to call! We have years of experience handling various needs of our diverse clientele. Handling tenant damages is just one of the problems that you can say goodbye to once you have us as your property partner. 

Get in touch with us today and receive a free quote for our services.