While the location and layout may be one of the top considerations when looking for a place to rent, there is one significant factor that can have a much bigger impact on your life: the landlord. A landlord will be responsible for everything, be it the assessing fee or the maintenance fee.
Having a landlord who doesn't understand your problems or is unwilling to cooperate can quickly turn your dream apartment into a nightmare. If you want to ensure your living experience stays serene and free-from-drama, here are some ways provided by Real Capital Group on how you can spot a bad landlord.
1. Look At Everything with a Pinch of Salt
When you visit the apartment for the first time, let your instincts take the wheel and don't get fooled by the appearance on the surface. These details can often hide deeper problems like bedbug infestations, mold, or code violations. Just because their grass was cut neatly or just because they applied a fresh coat of paint doesn't mean that everything is okay in their establishment.
Beyond the home's aesthetics, note the construction and other things like the house's doors, locks, faucets, and windows. Moreover, look for the presence of ample lighting, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors (these are essential in some states), and security cameras.
Take pictures of the fans, electrical outlets, and everything else that isn't working. Moreover, take note of any red flags that indicate that the house lacks proper upkeep.
2. Speak to the Current Renters
In one of their interviews Westrom Group Property Management are saying that speaking to the people living in the unit can give you helpful insights into what it would be like to live as a renter with a landlord. That said, you must do this before you sign the lease. A tenant will tell you everything, be it how quickly all maintenance problems are taken care of or whether the tenant respects their rights.
In many instances, a tenant may also tell you that the landlord has a long history of neglect or that their unit doesn’t have proper heating, leaking pipes, or other problems. Moreover, you can also talk to a Landlord-Tenant Association about the complaints they've received against a certain property or a landlord.
Moreover, even if the tenant isn't badmouthing the landlord directly, make sure you ask other residents about tenant turnover. An apartment that may seem to work as a revolving door may be a sign of trouble. It's either the landlord or the facilities in their living space.
3. Consider Visiting the County's Warehouse
One nightmare for an unsuspecting tenant can be that even though they're paying their landlord the rent, the landlord isn't paying the mortgage. This property ends up in foreclosure, which requires the renter to leave home, even when it wasn't their fault. In some states, laws dictate that the landlord must inform the tenant if the bank is forclosing on the property. However, not all landlords are aware or are interested in following this law.
An unscrupulous landlord may even continue accepting new renters without ever telling them that there's a pending foreclosure on the way. To steer clear of a problem like such, conduct a public-record search of the county's records so you can alert yourself of any past-due mortgages, code violations, or unpaid water bills. If there have been any documented problems, the Licenses and Inspections office will know.
If you see the words "Notice of Default," this is the first signal indicating a foreclosure pending. Moreover, try looking for bankruptcies and any court judgments against the property owner. Have there been any criminal or civil lawsuits against the landlord?
Look for the landlord's name in both defendant and plaintiff cases. This will show you if their tenants have sued them.
Wrapping Up
Even though prior research plays a big role in due diligence, it's sometimes your gut feeling that gets the job done. Apart from the visible signs, it can also be how a landlord talks to you. Consider the factors we've listed above and rely on your gut feeling; picking the right landlord shouldn't be too difficult then.
If you haven’t hired a property manager already, click here to learn more about our services and how an experienced property manager can share some of your burdens.
Image Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/key-on-a-person-s-palm-7579201/
