4 Ways Rental Property Owners Can Prevent Evictions In Boston

Most rental property owners know avoiding evictions is a part of operating a profitable investment property business. Not only is it costly, but evictions are also time-consuming and challenging. If one must take place, a property owner loses rent money while the eviction process plays out over weeks or months.

The more you can do to avoid evicting a tenant, the better for your real estate investing business. So, what can property owners do to prevent evictions and keep tenants happy? The best rental management Boston offers four tips here!

1. Have a Tenant Screening Process in Place

One of the first things a property owner can do for eviction prevention is a thorough tenant screening process. Placing good residents helps avoid the potential of dealing with bad tenants and evictions. 

It's critical to check out prospective tenants to ensure they pay their rent on time and care for your home. A renter with a good track record is more likely to be reasonable and honest if unexpected events occur during the lease term.

A screening process should include a set of criteria that applies to every applicant and your selection process. Property managers recommend checking an applicant's:

• Income. Verify a tenant's income to ensure they can afford rent payments.
• Employment history. Frequent job changes could be a sign of financial instability. 
• References. It's critical to obtain (and contact) two or three references from prior landlords. 
• Credit report. A credit report might reveal a history of bankruptcy or defaults. 
• Criminal background check. While property owners can't use criminal history as the sole reason to deny a renter, a background check can give insights into behavior that could be unsafe for your property, other tenants, or neighbors. 

Remember to comply with the Fair Housing Act during tenant screening to avoid discrimination and legal issues. Then, work with a Boston property manager that already has a tenant screening process in place to follow the law and find excellent renters!

2. Keep Open Lines of Communication

Building good relationships with residents requires open lines of communication! For example, if a tenant doesn't pay rent on time, it's a good idea to contact them and find out the reason before handing them an eviction notice letter or Notice to Quit. Sometimes renters simply forget to pay the rent, and a simple reminder could get them back on track. 

However, if a tenant in your rental unit has a reputation for ongoing missed payments, it could be time to consider a notice of eviction. Do everything you can to work with residents to get rental payments in. If you still need help, a company offering professional property management services can help improve on-time collection rates and lease enforcement to prevent evictions. 

3. Deliver Routine Maintenance and Repairs

Maintaining a rental property is another way to help avoid evictions. Well-kept houses attract the best tenants. Plus, renters are also more likely to care for the home if they see you keep it in excellent condition.

When delivering routine maintenance and repairs, renters can't claim that you aren't fulfilling your responsibilities in the lease or withhold the rent due to a lack of repairs. Because landlord-tenant regulations require you to keep the property "safe and inhabitable," allowing your rental property to decline into a filthy, unkempt mess could be considered a breach of the rental agreement. If you struggle to keep up with repairs or respond to maintenance requests, a property manager has a professional maintenance crew to take care of these issues.

4. Get Creative and Work With Your Renters

Before you hand out eviction notices for late rent, rental property owners can also consider a payment plan to help renters through a tough time. For example, if you have a long-term, reputable tenant, you might be able to offer them a strategy for making up the difference owed.

Create a formal contract with your renter like you would with any other financial agreement. Make sure to list out the amount to be paid, when payments are due, and any late charges that would apply. 

If difficult tenants won't agree to a payment plan or violate the lease in other ways, sometimes encouraging them to leave voluntarily can also help avoid an eviction lawsuit. While some renters will refuse your request, other renters understand that an eviction will come up during the screening process for their next rental home and can impact their future housing options. Sometimes knowing this is enough to encourage bad tenants to leave on their own. 

Work With a Boston Property Management Company to Avoid Eviction!

The eviction process can take a toll on rental property owners (and their bottom lines). If possible, avoiding tenant removals and Boston housing court by applying these four tips can help preserve your peace of mind and maximize returns! CHARLESGATE Property Management helps rental owners with eviction prevention through tenant screening, proactive maintenance, enhancing the renter experience, and more. If you're ready to learn more about how we can reduce the potential for evictions with our full-service property management, reach out to chat with our team!