From anchor bolts to water leaks, nothing spells income loss for landlords like property damage. Some of this damage may be preventable. To the extent that it is not, landlords still must understand the best strategies for pursuing tenants who cause damage to a rental:
5 Ways to Prevent Property Damage
Get Picky About Tenants
Some landlords have adopted the strategy of charging higher security deposits as a way of reducing property damage. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always translate. In fact, charging a higher deposit really is an acknowledgement that the tenant can’t be trusted. The better option: look for tenants who don’t need 
to pay a higher deposit — like someone with good credit and a good rental history.
Stop Believing High-End Tenants are Better Tenants
A landlord currently is suing his celebrity tenant for property damage, including breaking the light fixtures and furniture, and stealing some artwork. According to the landlord’s claim, the tenant paid around $120,000 for rent, and owes the landlord $95,000 for damage.
Just because a tenant makes a lot of money doesn’t mean that tenant will behave. Always follow your tenant screening protocol, regardless of how much you might like your rental applicant. People tend to repeat bad habits, so check with previous landlords, no matter whether the property is posh or plain.
Keep the Property User-Friendly
Landlords with furnished units stand to lose the most from theft, but any landlord can be subject to this income loss. Don’t keep exceptionally valuable items in the rental property, or use finishes or appliances that are easy to damage or difficult to maintain. The same goes for outdoor landscaping.
Basic, neutral finishes are pleasant and appealing to most rental applicants. There is no need to decorate the unit to the landlord’s specific tastes. What does matter most to tenants is cleanliness. But tenants don’t want to spend all of their time keeping it that way. Make maintenance easy, and tenants will be on board to keep the property clean.
Let Your Lease Do Some of the Work
The lease agreement and house rules go a long way toward staving off the most common types of property damage, like nail holes and water leaks. Spell out lease restrictions like:
What can go into the walls;
Keeping houseplants;
Not hiding damage from the landlord; and
Tenant retro-fits.
Also, work out a system so tenants don’t ignore repairs. Routine property inspections are a great opportunity to check up on any needed maintenance, and to catch tenants who are breaking the lease before extensive damage occurs.
Watch Out During Moves
Moving day can be hard on a rental property. Anticipate damage to walls, floors and stairs, and if possible, intervene before the damage occurs.
For instance, requiring moving pads around sharp corners and floor protectors can save both the landlord and the tenant from income loss.
Tenants who are in too much of a hurry are far more likely to be careless, so offer a move-out checklist or tip sheet to help tenants stay organized.
How to Win a Claim for Property Damage
Even with best practices, some tenants are prone to causing damage. If that occurs, it may be necessary to pursue legal action to recover. Be prepared by:
Keeping Track of Losses
It will be necessary to prove that the damage occurred, and that the tenant caused the damage. While photos and videos are useful tools, these alone won’t tie the damage to the tenant. To do that, it may be necessary to show a series of move-in and move-out condition reports. The landlord enjoys an advantage if the tenant signed a move-in report that shows the damage had not occurred at that time.
Being Realistic
Going after the tenant for more than the actual costs of repairs and other losses will injure the landlord’s credibility, and that can sink the entire claim. Receipts for work completed and out-of-pocket losses bolster the case and keep it professional.
Verifying the Rental Application
This step is crucial in finding the right tenants for the property, but it also is important to collecting a judgment against a tenant who damages the property before they disappear. The information in the rental application contains important clues for locating a former tenant — and their assets.
This post is provided by Tenant Verification Service, Inc., helping landlords reduce the risks of renting with fraud prevention tools that include Tenant Screening, Tenant Background Checks, (U.S. and Canada), as well as Criminal Background Checks, and Eviction Reports (U.S. only).
Click Here to Receive Landlord Credit Reports.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual legal counsel or consulting your local, state, federal or provincial tenancy laws.
