Evictions can be tricky.
Not all renters follow the rules, pay on time, or take care of the home.
Being a landlord isn’t as easy as it sounds, and if you’ve recently bought a rental property, you already know what we mean.
Below are a few common tenant “types” and the headaches that can come with each.
But first, let’s talk dollars and cents.
It can be expensive to get a property into rentable condition in the first place.
You may spend one, two, or even three months without rental income while you fix the place up, because most tenants won’t want to move into an unfinished rehab.
And in the real world, repairs and renovations often take 25% to 50% longer than expected, so if a contractor says “two weeks,” plan ahead.
Precious time matters too. Renovating takes hours, and most people have day jobs. Spending evenings and weekends at a “project” house isn’t realistic forever.
Then there’s screening. Finding a reliable tenant takes time, even when you’re looking for good credit, a steady job, and a lifestyle you feel comfortable trusting in your home.
It can take a month or two just to find the right renters who will genuinely take care of your investment.
There are several types of renters out there, but here are four to watch for. Unfortunately, these traits don’t always show up on a background check, so it pays to dig deeper and ask for references.
• The “Entitled” Tenant: This type calls about everything and expects you to respond immediately for even minor issues. They may refuse to handle small responsibilities and treat you like an on-demand service because they “pay rent.” If they’re stressed about their own situation, you can end up absorbing the frustration.
• The “Flaky” Tenant: On paper they look perfect—great credit, solid job, strong references. In practice, they’re unreliable with money and time. Rent is late, communication is inconsistent, and there’s always an excuse. Over time, this drains your time and your cash flow.
• The “Self-Proclaimed Civil Rights Attorney” Tenant: This can be one of the toughest. Like the entitled tenant, they demand constant repairs, but they add threats of legal action. They quote statutes, bylaws, and case law, and they won’t stop until everything is “perfect” in their eyes.
• The “Cheap and Lazy” Tenant: This tenant simply doesn’t care. You’ll see it during a walk-through: poor cleanliness, little to no upkeep, and a “not my house” attitude. Small things like light bulbs and smoke detector batteries get ignored, and problems are left to pile up.
These are just a few worst-case scenarios, and evictions are rarely simple or enjoyable. You can hope for a great long-term tenant, but those can be hard to find.
Do your homework and think carefully about whether you want to take on the headaches of managing a rental.
Can landlords evict tenants in Portland Oregon? Click the link to read an article that may help.
Or, if you have a rental you’re no longer happy with—or you’re simply ready to be free—give us a call today. We can do a quick assessment and share a few good options. 503 560 6620.
PDX Renovations – Buying houses with tenants for cash.
