There are those renters who frustrate landlords because they make excessive demands. I remember a landlord friend of mine shared about a tenant who constantly creates a list of things she wants changed and replaced, despite the fact that my friend keeps the rental in tip-top shape. 

Demanding or needy renters complain about everything and request things that are unnecessary. They can be a stumbling block for landlords because they take a landlord’s time away from important duties. 

What are some ways to handle these renters? Should you say yes to every request? Or should you ignore? Read this article to learn more.

Let your lease back you up.

Needy renters can be masters in manipulating. The first thing you should do is to be as objective as possible. Landlords need a rock-solid lease that establishes your responsibilities. If a tenant signs the lease, it means that they agree to the lease terms. Not having clear ground rules in the lease can increase the likelihood of a tenant making extra requests. Kindly tell your tenant that his request is beyond what’s stated in the lease.

Create a detailed move-in inspection.

Anytime a tenant is about to move into your rental, you need to conduct a thorough inspection. Move-in inspections are important so that you don’t get blamed for damages that the tenant himself has caused. (Some tenants push your limits to see what they can get away with.)

During the walk-through process, take visual proof of the original condition of the rental. Use a camera to take photos. Bring a walk-through checklist as well. You can download one from our online course!

Learn to say no.

To become a successful landlord, you need to strike a balance between meeting your tenants’ needs and ensuring that you stay productive and sane. There will be times when you’ll feel like showing your tenant a bit of grace because of a personal situation. 

Whatever the case, you can use the “No, because” statement to respond to a tenant. Say no firmly, but follow it up with a clear explanation. Also, remember this: You don’t want tenants to take your response negatively. Which is why in the beginning, show the tenant that you acknowledge their request.

Set proper boundaries.

Calls in the middle of the night are something that landlords cannot avoid 100%. You will worry that if you don’t pick up the phone, you might ignore an emergency that will cost you your business. 

The key is to minimize after-hour calls.

First things first: Provide your tenants a phone number they can call (not your personal number) for non-emergency situations. You also need to define what constitutes an actual emergency. Emergency situations include fires, gas leaks, electrical issues, and roof leaks. Also, provide your tenants an emergency contact - the local police, electricians, and the gas company.

Some landlords who run multiple properties set up an answering service for emergencies.

You can see that landlording is not for the faint of heart! To reduce future conflicts and prevent misunderstandings, get clear about the lease. Whenever you communicate, do it in a calm but firm manner. Don’t be afraid to say no. Get professional help to save yourself more time.

If you’re ready, make Landlord Prep your go-to resource for landlording education. Here, we offer a complete DIY landlording course to get you on the right track. Join our academy today. If you want, you can check out Flavia’s real estate investing webinar first!