--- title: Smart Ways for Landlords to Deal with and Avoid Bad Tenants description: Landlords have many different tasks that they're responsible for, like managing renters. Sometimes though, bad tenants can bring you all sorts of problems. image: https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Bad%20tenants.jpg --- - [Pay Rent](https://sdnyrealty.com/pay-rent/) - [Forms](https://sdnyrealty.com/forms/) -   [![S&D Commercial Real Estate Agency](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/S__D_Real_Estate_January2019/images/sd-original-logo_300px.png?width=300&height=194&name=sd-original-logo_300px.png "S&D Commercial Real Estate Agency")](https://sdnyrealty.com/) - [About](https://sdnyrealty.com/long-island-commercial-real-estate-firm/) - [Agents](https://sdnyrealty.com/long-island-real-estate-agents/) - [Listings](https://sdnyrealty.com/property-listings/) - [Property Management](https://sdnyrealty.com/property-management-company/) - [Resources](https://sdnyrealty.com/real-estate-resources/) - [Neighborhood Guide](https://sdnyrealty.com/neighborhood-guide/) - [Long Island](https://sdnyrealty.com/long-island-commercial-real-estate/) - [Nassau County](https://sdnyrealty.com/nassau-county-commercial-real-estate/) - [Bethpage](https://sdnyrealty.com/bethpage-commercial-real-estate/) - [Farmingdale](https://sdnyrealty.com/farmingdale-commercial-real-estate/) - [Franklin Square](https://sdnyrealty.com/franklin-square-commercial-real-estate/) - [Garden City](https://sdnyrealty.com/garden-city-commercial-real-estate/) - [Glen Cove](https://sdnyrealty.com/glen-cove-commercial-real-estate/) - [Hempstead](https://sdnyrealty.com/hempstead-commercial-real-estate/) - [Hicksville](https://sdnyrealty.com/hicksville-commercial-real-estate/) - [Long Beach](https://sdnyrealty.com/long-beach-commercial-real-estate/) - [Mineola](https://sdnyrealty.com/mineola-commercial-real-estate/) - [Rockville Centre](https://sdnyrealty.com/rockville-centre-commercial-real-estate/) - [Suffolk County](https://sdnyrealty.com/suffolk-county-commercial-real-estate/) - [Babylon](https://sdnyrealty.com/suffolk-county-commercial-real-estate/babylon-commercial-real-estate/) - [Brookhaven](https://sdnyrealty.com/brookhaven-commercial-real-estate/) - [Hauppauge](https://sdnyrealty.com/hauppauge-commercial-real-estate/) - [Huntington](https://sdnyrealty.com/huntington-commercial-real-estate/) - [Islip](https://sdnyrealty.com/islip-commercial-real-estate/) - [Melville](https://sdnyrealty.com/melville-commercial-real-estate/) - [Riverhead](https://sdnyrealty.com/riverhead-commercial-real-estate/) - [Smithtown](https://sdnyrealty.com/smithtown-commercial-real-estate/) - [Southampton](https://sdnyrealty.com/southampton-commercial-real-estate/) - [Consulting Services](https://sdnyrealty.com/consulting-services/) - [Property Appraisal Services](https://sdnyrealty.com/property-appraisal/) - [Zoning Regulations](https://sdnyrealty.com/zoning-regulations/) - [Forms](https://sdnyrealty.com/forms/) - [Veterans & Military Housing](https://sdnyrealty.com/veterans-military-housing/) - [Join our Program](https://sdnyrealty.com/veterans-military-housing/#apply-now) - [Forms & Applications](https://sdnyrealty.com/forms/) - [Pay Rent](https://sdnyrealty.com/pay-rent/) - [Blog](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog) - [Contact](https://sdnyrealty.com/contact/) # Smart Ways for Landlords to Deal with and Avoid Bad Tenants - August 23, 2017 - [lease terms](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/lease-terms), [lease agreement](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/lease-agreement), [Renting](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/renting), [landlord](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/landlord), [rental property](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/rental-property) - 0 ![Smart Ways for Landlords to Deal with and Avoid Bad Tenants](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Bad%20tenants.jpg) As a [landlord](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/becoming-a-landlord), you’re regularly required to deal with tenants. Most of the time, they’re respectful, pay their rent on-time and cause minimal disruption, but not always. In some cases, you will have flat out bad tenants that are having a negative effect on your property and the other renters. This may seem like a nightmare situation, but there are certainly some steps you can take to fix and even prevent it altogether. ## A Landlord’s Guide for Managing Bad Tenants ### The Screening Process There’s no tried and true solution that you can use to absolutely guarantee that none of your rental property’s tenants are going to be problematic. However, a thorough [screening process](http://www.moneycrashers.com/screening-potential-tenants-questions-credit-background-check/) is about as close as you’re going to get. Most landlords have the wherewithal to conduct background and credit checks, as well as income verification, before approving renters. This process ensures that no matter how unruly the tenant could potentially be, they will at least have the funds to keep up with payments. Otherwise, add more in-depth hurdles to the process. Ask for references and contact information of previous landlords. Of course, before you commit to a decision, always make sure to actually meet the potential renter face-to-face. Investigate further only if need be. ![bad tenants](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Bad%20tenants1.jpg?width=320&name=Bad%20tenants1.jpg "bad tenants") ### Following the Rules Any tenant in a [rental property](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/rental-property) must sign a lease before the unit becomes theirs. This signed agreement outlines all of the rules and regulations that the renter must abide by. If you have a bad tenant that is ignoring the guidelines they agreed to, a simple explanation of their lease terms can sometimes do the trick. Furthermore, it’s also common for landlords to write-in policies about issues like noise, pets, smoking, maintenance, occupancy and even conflict resolution. ![bad tenants](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Bad%20tenants2.jpg?width=320&name=Bad%20tenants2.jpg "bad tenants") #### The Law of the Land Just about every town, county and state in America has its own set of laws and regulation codes that concern the rights of landlords and tenants. Before taking any action to deal with rough renters, familiarize yourself with the extent of your powers as a landlord. The last thing you want is a legal issue to arise from the way you handled a bad tenant. Educate yourself on [renter rights](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/renters-rights), eviction procedures, special notices and any other relevant information that pertains to owning a rental property. A good source for this kind of intel is the [U.S. Department of Housing](https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD). ![bad tenants](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Bad%20tenants3.jpg?width=320&name=Bad%20tenants3.jpg "bad tenants") ### Be Courteous No matter what, it’s always important that you keep your cool and avoid losing your temper at all costs when dealing with unruly tenants. Try to be constructive and approach the situation with an open mind. Keep a positive attitude towards mending the situation instead of breaking it off altogether. If, despite all efforts, you are still unable to resolve the conflict, it may be time to start taking steps towards a full eviction. However, that should always be your last resort. If you can turn that bad tenant into a pleasant one, you won’t have to go through the whole process of finding a new renter. Bad tenants are the bane of some landlords’ existence. However, with a little finesse and conflict resolution, you have the chance to straighten things out. Although, if all else fails and local ordinances allow it, an [eviction](https://www.landlordology.com/tenant-eviction/) may be imminent. --- [![Join The Commercial Courier](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/432922/d68af3fc-de89-4dd0-bc71-e7dba2bb02f5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/432922/d68af3fc-de89-4dd0-bc71-e7dba2bb02f5) ### Tags: - [lease terms](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/lease-terms) - [lease agreement](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/lease-agreement) - [Renting](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/renting) - [landlord](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/landlord) - [rental property](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/rental-property) ### [Previous post](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/mortgage-broker) #### [What to Ask a Mortgage Broker before Buying a New Home](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/mortgage-broker) ### [Next post](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/starter-home) #### [Is a Starter Home Worth it for First Time Buyers?](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/starter-home) ### Related posts [![How Tenants’ Rights Ensure that Renters are Always Protected](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Tenants%E2%80%99%20Rights1.jpg?width=768&name=Tenants%E2%80%99%20Rights1.jpg)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/tenants-rights) - September 19, 2018 - [lease agreement](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/lease-agreement), [Renting](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/renting), [landlord](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/landlord), [tenants' rights](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/tenants-rights) ### How Tenants’ Rights Ensure that Renters are Always Protected When you sign a lease, the two main parties are you and the landlord, with each assigned specific rights and responsibilities. However, no matter... [Continue reading](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/tenants-rights) [![Why Residential Property Management is Absolutely Essential](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Residential%20Property%20Management.jpg?width=768&name=Residential%20Property%20Management.jpg)](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/residential-property-management) - August 22, 2018 - [residential real estate](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/residential-real-estate), [Property Management](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/property-management), [landlord](https://blog.sdnyrealty.com/blog/topic/landlord) ### Why Residential Property Management is Absolutely Essential Owning an investment property has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, it’s an incredible opportunity to create an additional... 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