What are your biggest "red flags" with an existing Tenant?

Question

Mine is lack of communication. When a tenant refuses to respond to any means of communication, that indicates they're trying to hide something and I'm right almost every time.

What red flags do you watch for with existing renters?

Scott M. · Answer

Lack of communication.  When that stops I have never had it be a positive thing.  Have been through some rough times with some tenants but as long as communication lines are open we can get through them together.

Theresa Harris · Answer

Lack of communication and excuses are the two for me.  If there is a problem be up front about it, but don't make a lot of excuses.

Jim K. · Answer

Lack of communication/availability is the big one. When the landlord calls, you should pick up. I have a habitual dislike of people who don't apologize when they're obviously in the wrong. Tenants who ask for favors like paying rent late through a text message get my bad side instantly. I am quite sexist about it, but women who start to show me contempt after they see me get my hands or clothes dirty fixing something in their house...there are quite a few of those ladies out there, sad to say.

Ron Brady · Answer

Communication, definitely

Colleen F. · Answer

@Nathan G. communication issues of course aside from the above one of mine is extra vehicles.  When you have been seeing one vehicle for months and suddenly you have an extra every day. Means someone moved in.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Nathan G. the more someone resists inspection, it just makes me feel more urgency at getting into the property. We make it clear to people, you have the right to be present during repairs or inspections, but if you are not available, it will happen regardless. COVID was a tough one, because of legalities around forcing yourself into a property. It also depends on state laws. I like to tag along when there are repairs and use that as a way to do inspections. When things are broken, the tenant is more accommodating.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Nathan G. it is always bad when a tenant goes dark. Lack of response means bad news they don't want to share. The only thing worse than that is lying or broken commitments. Lying would be intentionally misleading and a broken commitment is poor follow through.

Of course late payments or returned payments are a red flag, although I have had these things happen with overall good tenants. I had one switch their bank account and forgot to update autopay. I had one who setup recurring payments through the end of the year and forgot to extend. If it is an honest mistake, people respond quickly, apologize and fix it fast.

You hate to assume the worst in people, but after doing this many years, you can tell when things are going wrong. I always tell my wife, "I have seen this movie before and I know how it ends."

What are your biggest "red flags" with an existing Tenant?

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