3 Common Lease Violations and How Landlords Can Deal with Tenants Violating the Lease

What common lease violations will landlords face from tenants? One lesson landlords will quickly learn is to expect the unexpected. That being said, there are a few common lease violations tenants seem to repeat often. Below, we take a look at three common tenant lease violations and how landlords can deal with them.

Paying Rent Late or Not Paying Rent

Late rent payments or simply not paying rent at all are at the top of common tenant lease violations. The terms of the lease should spell out exactly when rent is due, what the grace period is for late rent, what type of fine will be incurred if the tenant pays after the grace period, and when the eviction process begins for non-payment. While this will not stop late rent payments from occurring, it does spell out the repercussions in plain, clear language so that there are no misunderstandings.

How can you avoid late rental payments or non-payment of rent? One way to avoid this common lease violation is to use a thorough screening process and rent to high-quality tenants. Landlords can also offer financial incentives, such as a discount for paying on time, to tenants who pay by the due date.

Tenant Brings Pet to Live in Rental Property

Landlords who do not allow pets are going to have tenants who disregard that rule and violate the lease. If it is clearly spelled out in your lease terms that pets of any kind are not allowed, then landlords should also have the repercussions for this lease violation spelled out. The penalty could state that the tenant has a specific time to remove the pet or move out of the rental property while still being financially obligated for the remaining amount of the lease.

Removing the tenant may not always be your best option. If the tenant regularly pays rent on time, takes good care of the property and has renewed the lease on at least one occasion, the landlord may want to consider adding a pet agreement addendum to the lease. Landlords who choose this option should charge a pet fee, pet rent, pet deposit or combination of the legal options in their state.

Extended Guests Staying at Rental Property

If you followed the advice in the Landlord’s Rental Guide article discussing important lease terms, then your North Carolina rental property lease should have wording which deals with occupancy limits, visitors and the lengths of those visits. First, the occupancy of your rental property should be limited to adult tenants you screened, approved and allowed to sign the lease along with their minor children.

While guests are allowed, once those individuals stay beyond the agreed upon length of time, they are considered to be living in the property, and your tenants are violating the lease. The occupancy limits clause gives a landlord the legal right to evict tenants who move in another person or ones who sublet the rental unit. Another solution for landlords is to screen that tenant and put them on the lease.

Remember, the lease agreement establishes the terms of the tenancy. While common lease violations may seem minor, tenants who violate lease terms are liable for whatever penalties are outlined in the agreement. So remember, when a breach or disagreement occurs, a landlord’s lease contract must provide a firm foundation for resolution.

Do you own rental property in Durham, Raleigh, or Chapel Hill? If you would like to learn more about Red Door Company’s North Carolina property management services and how we help landlords like you grow your real estate investment, please do not hesitate to contact us today.