Tenant responsibility question

Tenant responsibility question

Investor · TX · Member since 2018 · 9 posts · 2 votes

Hi

i am not an expert on this, and dont have the best people skills in the world. I noticed a trend that no matter how big or small something is damaged all tenant's seem to always deny it and never seem to accept any responsibility and they always claim that its never their fault. 
I am not interested in pointing fingers but would like to get some advice in order to find a way for the tenant to accept some or all responsibility for damage caused while they are living in the house. Doesn't matter if they did the damage or if it was their kid, dog , friend or if the damage occured without their knowledge. 

The way i look at it , if i borrow my friends car and someone scratches it while i am in the grocery store, even though I didnt cause the damage, its still my responsibility for the damage because it occured on my watch.

How do most people deal with these type of situations where the tenants act like the victim and denies that they did anything wrong?

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  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    3y

    Make sure you have good photos and videos of the condition of the home before the tenant moved in and do the same when they move out.  Do a move in inspection and have them sign off on it so any deficiencies are noted. Anything that is not noted, wasn't there before.

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Gabe N.:

    I've managed up to 400 rentals with approximately 150 - 200 move-outs every year for 14 years. I've never been sued by a former tenant. I get maybe 5-6 a year that actually fight me on a charge.

    Why? Documentation. Hundreds of pictures before they move in, and the same when they move out. I have clear, visual evidence of what it looked like before and after so there's no argument.

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