Why You Are Getting Bad Tenants And How To Fix It

Renting to bad tenants is arguably worse than not having tenants at all. While no tenants equals no money, bad tenants could put you in negative if they are the kind of bad tenants who destroy your property while living in it. As a property manager (such as those from Management Services), it is vital for you to understand why you keep choosing bad tenants and how to resolve the issue. 

Reasons Your Tenants Aren't Working Out

You Don't Target a Type of Tenant: Certain types of people want certain types of homes. A family with children need a property with a fenced in yard and extra bedrooms. A single person with a full-time job wants a comfortable space but doesn't need a lot of extra rooms because he or she spends more time at work than at home.

You Don't Screen Your Tenants: Just because someone looks good on paper, it doesn't mean they are good in person. You need to run a background check, a credit check and call previous landlords. Unfortunately, you cannot trust what someone puts on paper.

You Don't Advertise in the Right Place: Whether you are targeting a certain type of tenant or not, advertising in the wrong place is going to attract the wrong type of tenants. Advertise in communities that are known to be low-crime and low unemployment rates. This will increase the chances of a tenant with a stable job who doesn't commit crimes as a hobby. 

Easy Ways to Improve the Curb Appeal of Your Home

One of the easiest ways to turn the tides and start getting better tenants is to improve the curb appeal of your property. Here are three quick ways to improve the curb appeal of any rental property:

Repaint the House Numbers: House numbers are your home's first identification to the world. If you are trying to sell or rent the home out, missing or faded house numbers will frustrate anyone who is trying to find it.

Utilize the Landscaping: Conceal any eyesores in the yard. The outdoor air conditioning unit, for example, could be considered an eyesore. This can be easily concealed by planting a few shrubs. Plant them in a way that conceals the air conditioning unit without planting them very close to it. At the very least, new shrubs and flowers in the yard should take the focus off of the air conditioning unit and any other eyesores in the yard.

Fix the Driveway, Porch, and Any Sidewalks: Do not forget to check for cracks in the porch, sidewalk, and driveway that need to be repaired as you are freshening up your house. If your driveway is made of asphalt, apply a coat of asphalt sealer to keep it looking clean and new. If you have a gravel driveway, consider getting some more gravel to put down.

Completing these steps will increase the value of your home and make it more appealing should you decide to sell it or rent it out.