How to Handle Tenant Disputes

Disputes between tenants can get complicated quickly. If you’ve rented out a share house or an apartment complex, these situations not only affect the people directly involved but can also seriously impact the livelihoods of the owner.

So, what can you do to handle disputes fast and fairly? Here, we explore just some techniques landlords can use to mitigate disagreements between tenants, protect themselves against legal action and keep everyone happy.

Understand the issue

You can’t attempt to solve a tenant dispute without a clear understanding of the issue. By maintaining open communication with those on either side of the argument, you can get a precise picture of each party’s concerns and work towards finding a solution.

Throughout this process, keep an open mind and resist the temptation to interrupt as you gather information. It’s also a good idea to speak to other tenants and neighbours that might have an informative perspective on the dispute.

Refer to the lease agreement

Depending on the dispute, you may point to tenant obligations outlined in the lease agreement. For example, there’s probably a section dedicated to quiet enjoyment, so a tenant blasting music late at night could be failing to uphold their end of the deal.

Using this documentation, you can request a specific tenant stop engaging in an action that has caused a dispute with the other residents. If they refuse, you might have an avenue to take the matter further to resolve the issue once and for all.

Mediate a solution

After you’ve established the facts, some landlords want to actively mediate a solution. As ongoing disputes can cause other tenants to move out or engage in negative behaviour, finding common ground swiftly is essential.

To do this, you can act as a go-between for the disputing parties. If you’d prefer, it might be wise to bring in a third-party mediator, like a property manager, who has experience working through disagreements to discover an appropriate resolution.

Maintain precise documentation

No matter how you resolve a dispute between tenants, keeping precise documentation is vital for your protection. By recording the steps you’ve taken and making notes about conversations you’ve had, you can protect yourself against any future concerns.

In the unlikely case that legal action needs to be taken either by yourself as the landlord or the tenant, this documentation could make the difference to prove your side of the story. Keep this evidence in mind when dealing with a complex situation.

Speak to the experts

Get in touch with the experts at InStyle Property Management to get up-to-date information about the property market. Our highly experienced team can help landlords and tenants make the best move for their future.