When it comes to being a successful landlord, it pays to heed the words of Forrest Gump. The slow-witted, kind-hearted fictional character played by Tom Hanks on the big screen uttered a phrase that should serve as a guiding motto for all landlords: “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.”
No matter how experienced and diligent you are as a landlord, you never know what unexpected dilemma is going to come your way. And when a tenant throws you a curveball, it’s important that your response falls within the bounds of the law – otherwise, you could get caught up in an expensive legal dispute.
To give you an indication of the weird issues a landlord can encounter, here are three unusual questions the legal firm Coodes Solicitors has received from landlords. Would you know what to do if you faced any of these scenarios?
My tenant has been jailed. What do I do now?
You had hoped your tenant would call your property home for years to come. But instead, they’re serving time in prison. What does this mean for the tenancy? And what are you supposed to do with your tenant’s belongings?
My tenant wants to break their contract because they think my rental is haunted. What can I do?
After initially taking a shining to your property, your tenant now claims they can see dead people – in your rental. Can they end their contract early just because they’ve been spooked?
Can I snoop on social media to learn more about a prospective tenant?
A prospective tenant tells you they don’t own a pet, but their Instagram feed is full of humble brags about fostering troubled Rottweilers. Can you reject their tenancy application based on what you’ve seen on social media?
Professional Guidance
Even the most experienced landlords can encounter questions they’ve never discussed before. This is why it pays to use the expertise of professionals. In extreme circumstances, you may need to call a lawyer. However, working with an experienced letting agent year-round can help keep you on the right side of the law and avoid small issues escalating into complicated legal disputes.
If you’d like to know more about our property management services, contact us today.
See the legal response to the questions above here (Some of the answers might surprise you.)
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