Tenant-to-tenant harassment is an unfortunately common problem that can spike tensions and create a hostile living environment for many renters. Whether it’s unwanted noise, aggressive behavior or offensive comments, landlord neglect often creates the conditions for such behavior to occur.
In this blog post, we'll look at why tenant harassment happens in rental units, what specific types can be considered illegal activity under the law and – most importantly – some practical steps you can take if you are experiencing tenant-on-tenant harassment.
What Does the Tenant Harassment Entail
Tenant harassment can cause a great deal of stress and inconvenience for property owners and managers. It can take many forms, ranging from small actions such as making hurtful comments or disturbing other tenants, to more severe actions like refusing to pay rent or violating lease terms. Landlords must take tenant harassment seriously and address it appropriately.
If a landlord is dealing with a difficult tenant, there are steps they can take to handle the situation. However, there are also actions that should never be taken as retaliation. It's essential for landlords to remain professional and ethical in their dealings with tenants, even in challenging situations.
In the following section, we will outline some of the things that landlords should never do when dealing with tenant harassment.
Avoiding Improper Responses to Tenant Harassment
In order to effectively deal with tenant harassment, it's crucial to understand what not to do:
Threaten the Tenant Back
Rather than resorting to threats or unprofessional behavior, it's important to maintain a calm and mature demeanor when responding to tenant aggression. Engaging in threatening behavior can not only escalate the situation but also lead to legal consequences for landlords, which should be avoided at all costs.
Change the Locks of the Property
If you're dealing with a harassing tenant who is still living in your rental property, changing the locks is not a recommended course of action. Not only is it likely to make the situation worse, but it can also result in legal consequences, as it is against the law to change the locks on a tenant who is still occupying the property.
Remove the Tenant's Belongings
It's important for landlords to understand that removing a tenant's belongings is not a viable solution, just like changing the locks. This is because tenants have the right to peaceful enjoyment of their home, and landlords cannot forcibly enter the property and seize their possessions.
Even if a tenant is harassing the landlord, it's essential to find other ways to address the situation. In the next section, we will explore effective strategies for dealing with problematic tenants in a safe and lawful manner.
How to Deal With Tenant Harassment
When faced with a problematic tenant, the first course of action should be to approach them in a respectful and cordial manner and ask them to stop their behavior. This can be done through various forms of communication, such as email or letter, as long as it can be documented. Keeping records of all communications is important, as they may come in handy as evidence in the future.
In some cases, the tenant may see reason and comply with the landlord's request to stop the harassment. This can be achieved by clearly outlining the consequences that may arise if they continue their behavior. If the tenant agrees to stop, the landlord and the tenant can continue their lease agreement until its expiration.
However, if the tenant remains non-compliant, the landlord may have to consider more drastic measures to deal with the situation.
Start an Eviction Process
In extreme cases, the landlord may have to consider evicting the tenant. This is a serious decision that should not be taken lightly and requires careful consideration of all applicable laws. Landlords must ensure that they are following the proper procedures for eviction in their state or locality before taking any action. Once an eviction process has been started, it can take some time to complete, but it provides landlords with legal recourse if a tenant continues to harass them or other tenants on their property.
Contact Law Enforcement
If the tenant's behavior poses a real threat to safety or security, landlords should contact law enforcement immediately. They can provide assistance in dealing with problematic tenants and can often issue warnings or fines depending on the situation. In addition, they may be able to provide advice on how best to manage the situation.
How to Avoid Dealing with Tenant Harassment
The best way to avoid dealing with tenant harassment is to be proactive. Landlords can do this by taking preventive measures at the start of the rental agreement.
One effective measure landlords can take is conducting background checks on potential tenants. This gives landlords an insight into the tenant's previous behavior and helps them assess whether they are likely to cause trouble in the future. Additionally, landlords should draw up a detailed and comprehensive lease agreement that clearly outlines their expectations from the tenant as well as any repercussions for violations of these expectations.
Conclusion
Dealing with tenant harassment can be an unpleasant and stressful experience for landlords. By taking preventive measures before entering into a rental agreement and using respectful communication when approaching the tenant, landlords can attempt to resolve the issue without having to resort to drastic measures such as eviction.
Additionally, if all other attempts fail, involving the police may be necessary in order to protect yourself and ensure legal consequences for the tenant’s actions. In any case, staying informed about your rights and responsibilities as a landlord is essential in order to successfully deal with tenant harassment.
