Bad Tenants Ruin It for Everyone
We’ve all heard the horror stories. Investors just wanting to build a portfolio have found themselves behind the eight-ball with tenants leaving their property in an almighty mess. Private owners who have taken the leap and rented out their home while travelling or living with family – only to find the property literally destroyed and the tenants having done a midnight flit.
Nobody condones this type of behaviour, but the thing is, this is what has led to the stringent rules and regulations that are in place when taking out a rental. The hurdles are monumental, and the rigorous system can be daunting to many tenants. But it is understandable.
Condition reports these days can include volumes of photographs of every tiny detail of the house – each one to be inspected and signed by the new tenants. Agreements state that you are not to keep old clapped out cars on your front lawn and you must keep your cleaning appliances maintained in a fit and proper condition to be used only in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Truly, the mind boggles as to what else tenants could use their own cleaning appliances for, and as for the old cars – how many of those have you collected lately?
This is where the bad guys ruin it for the good guys.
I can totally understand how devastating it must be for landlords who have been victims of bad tenants. Who have had their property destroyed by morons who have no respect for anyone or anything. A friend of mine told me a story of how they rented their home while travelling for six months, only to come home to find it a vandalised pig-sty. My friend just sat down on the floor and cried, I felt so sorry for her.
However, can we please start to realise that these bad tenants are in the minority. The majority are respectful and want to live in a nice place. This same woman whose property was destroyed is now a tenant herself and her place is immaculate, she has been there for 15 years.
This blog may trigger more horror stories about bad tenants, but come on guys, be fair. How about putting in a few reviews of the good guys out there. I would love to open up realia.com.au and see lots of reviews about good tenants. I know the bad ones will be there, because that’s a given. People love to voice their opinions about the bad things that have happened to them and that’s fine, we’re here to listen, but we want to hear about the good as well.
So, spread the word and get reviewing. Tell us about the good experiences you have had with tenants, and tenants can do the same. Remember, realia.com.au is about creating a fairer system for all. The more we can let people know about good tenants and bad tenants, good landlords and bad landlords and good and bad agents – then the more we can work towards a fairer and more reliable system for all.