Dealing With Bad Tenants in Olivette, MO

Most landlords in Olivette do not set out wanting a legal fight. They want the rent on time and the property left alone. When bad tenants turn that into a monthly argument, the useful first move is documentation rather than confrontation: dated photos, written notices, and a saved record of every text and call. Missouri gives a landlord real remedies, but each one runs on paper, and a rent and possession case in St. Louis County moves on a schedule where the judge will ask what notice you gave and when. Dealing with bad tenants also means being honest about the arithmetic. Someone who is sixty days behind and has damaged a unit rarely turns back into a reliable renter, and the filing, the turnover and the vacancy usually cost more than the back rent you are chasing. At some point the question stops being how to repair this tenancy and becomes whether you still want to be a landlord at all. If you land there, you can sell a rental property with tenants still in place, lease and all, without asking anybody to move out first. See how we buy houses for what that looks like, and this walk-through of selling with tenants in Bellefontaine Neighbors covers the lease-transfer side. Chris's team is BBB A+ accredited with a real office in Webster Groves, and there is no rush on any of it.

Do you own a rental in Olivette, MO? Are you sick and tired of dealing with tenants who aren't on time with rent or who are destructive to the property? If you have ever experienced a tenant like this, you'll know it can quickly make you regret owning the rental in the first place! Usually, problems can be remedied on your own, without having to involve outside parties.

How To Deal With Bad Tenants In Olivette, MO

Try To Be Understanding In Olivette

While you should treat your investment(s) as a business, there is a time and place to be human. Sometimes good people find themselves in a tough situation. If an otherwise wonderful, long-term tenant is late on rent, you don't necessarily have to evoke the highest penalty outlined in the lease. If you have an excellent renter with only one minor infraction, it is best to overlook the problem as opposed to potentially losing a great tenant.

Stick To Your Guns In Missouri

You can only be understanding to a point. Once it goes beyond that, you might find that you are dealing with a tenant who is looking for ways to skip out on rent or repairs. If you let someone pay rent late once, they are likely to want to do it again, and again, and again. Be firm with your policy regarding rent payment. While there are situations where you can be flexible, simply not having rent isn't an excuse. This can be one of the most difficult parts of being a landlord and why many investors hire a property manager to collect rent on their behalf.

Document Everything In Olivette, MO

Any and all interactions should be recorded and saved. Write down conversation notes with a time and date, save all texts, emails, and any written contact. Take pictures as needed. In situations where damage has occurred or repairs are required.

Hire An MO Property Manager

As mentioned above, hiring a property manager can take the pain out of collecting rent. However, that is not all they do. A property manager will: screen prospective tenants, take care of maintenance, advertise your rentals, handle tenant issues and complaints, and even deal with the eviction process on your behalf. If you are managing multiple units, hiring a property manager will save you a ton of time and headaches!

Eviction Process In Olivette, Missouri

Hopefully, you won't ever have to deal with the eviction process as a landlord. It is a long and stressful process that varies from state to state. First of all, you need to have a good reason to ask the tenant to move. They need to have broken the lease or be behind on rent. At NO point are you allowed to take matters into your own hands, even if they are causing property damage! You will need a court order to remove the tenant's belongings or change the locks. You will want the courts to see you have done everything right so that they will have no choice but to be on your side in the matter. You will need to provide a formal notice of eviction that includes the day they need to pay by and the amount owed if they want to stay. Place it on their front door and send certified mail so you can prove it has been received. You will have to file with the courts and go through a hearing if the tenant still refuses to move. It is at this point you will be glad you documented everything!

Sell My House In Olivette, MO

Bad tenants are few and far between. With careful screening and an iron-clad lease, you can ensure a peaceful living environment for all of your tenants!

If your tenants are a real hassle and causing you a lot of stress and expense, then you can always sell your house in St. Louis even with existing tenants directly to Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis. We are the most trusted Missouri home buyers and we have purchased properties with bad tenants many times over. We have a great reputation; we will be fair with your tenants and will deal with the problem so that you don’t have to. If this is a route you are considering, reach out to us so we can discuss all of your options in detail.