How should you manage problem tenants?

One of the biggest challenges with HMO management is dealing with problematic tenants. There are a number of reasons for this, including the simple fact that in an HMO, there are a higher number of tenants to begin with and as they will all be coming from different households, clashes of personalities and lifestyles can cause a lot of friction.

It is down to the landlord and managing agent to help smooth out such problems, and there are a number of things managing agents and landlords can do to reduce these conflicts. There are a number of things they can do to help with situations. As the leading provider of HMO management Portsmouth has, here are some of our best tips to reduce tension in HMO households:

• Select tenants carefully

As the landlord/managing agent, you are able to see how the dynamic shifts and changes within the property. You can use this knowledge to help you select the appropriate tenants to fit in with the different personalities in the HMO. For example, if you have a student home, it would be unwise to rent additional rooms to young families; it’s best to stick with one particular tenant demographic per property.

• Communication

Contacting tenants regularly and keeping up to date with the goings–on within the property can really help. This will allow you to respond more quickly to issues as and when they arise, leading to more satisfied tenants and potentially fewer problems in future. Mediation can be a really important step in resolving conflicts, reducing the likelihood of tenant clashes becoming personal. It is wise to make sure that the entire household is kept up to date with conflicts that escalate.

• Collect information

It is always good to keep records of your conversations with tenants, including complaints that are made. That way you have the information you need if legal action needs to be taken to resolve issues. Evidence is crucial, so ensuring all notes, letters, emails, text messages etc are recorded is critical.
• Try to compromise

If clashes do occur, having the tenants reach a compromise between themselves is usually the best option, and is much better than a tenant moving out and the landlords having to find a new tenant. You should work with the tenants wherever you can if they are considering leaving, doing whatever you can to help. It may require an investment of time, money, effort (or a combination of all three!) on your behalf, but this can help you to reduce potential voids in future.

T1property are the best for HMO management Portsmouth has because we are able to manage our properties efficiently and effectively. We have the skills and experience to deal with all kinds of tenants and work hard to ensure problems don’t arise. If you have any questions regarding our management services, please get in touch to find out more.