Are you a lousy tenant? We’ve listed eight things that might make you one if you’re not certain. Behaving irresponsibly can cause trouble like getting evicted, having your security deposit confiscated, or even being barred from renting in the future. So, if you don’t want to struggle with those risks, keep clear from these behaviors!
- Not paying rent on time. This is arguably the most crucial matter that contributes to your being a bad tenant. Your Arlington Heights property manager has the power to start eviction proceedings on you if you’re late to pay rent. Being late to pay rent can also damage your credit score.
- Making too much noise or disturbing other tenants. If you are regularly making loud sounds or causing disruptions to other tenants, your landlord will constantly have complaints against you. The more complaints your landlord receives, the less likely your lease will be renewed when it comes up for renewal.
- Damaging the property or not taking care of it. Here is another typical characteristic of an irresponsible tenant. Causing damage to the property or neglecting to repair it, will force your landlord to spend money to fix it. This can be extremely costly for them, and they may consider withholding your security deposit or, in severe cases, evicting you.
- Not reporting maintenance and repair issues. If you do not promptly report maintenance and repair issues, you risk costing your landlord a lot of money. Additionally, you risk causing damage to not only the house but also to your personal property (consider a water leak that becomes a flood!). This is why it’s crucial to notify your landlord of any issues as soon as possible.
- Having pets when you’re not supposed to. You might feel that your landlord will not notice that you keep pets when they are not permitted, but they will. If your lease legitimately prohibits pets, this is a direct violation of the terms of your lease and may lead to your eviction from the premises.
- Bringing in unauthorized guests. Likewise, uninvited guests or residents are not permitted. For legal purposes, your landlord must be informed of everyone living in your rental home, such as relatives who tend to stay a long time. Unauthorized guests may cause legal complications for you and your landlord if something goes wrong.
- Smoking inside or using drugs. Another sign of a bad tenant is this. Using drugs and smoking inside when your lease forbids it, and doing it anyway, can cause a lot of aggravation for your landlord and can get you arrested (if the drugs are illegal) or evicted – or both.
- Ignore your lease terms. If you disregard any of your lease terms, including those discussed previously, you may believe it will make little difference in the short term. Nevertheless, your landlord will learn of it – and that will make them very displeased. They may lead to them issuing you a warning or evicting you.
Since you know how not to be a bad tenant, be sure you stay clear of these activities! The last thing you’d want is to receive a bad reputation or get blacklisted, which makes it harder (if not impossible) to rent a new place. If you are in the market for a new rental home, browse our listings. We can help you find a quality rental home in Arlington Heights.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
