Fostering a good relationship with your tenants can go a long way. Happy tenants are more likely to renew their leases, maintain the property, and recommend it to others. This leads to reduced turnover costs and lower vacancy rates. Satisfied tenants are less likely to cause conflicts or pursue legal actions, giving landlords peace of mind. 

Even the most attentive landlords get complaints from time to time. After all, there are so many things out of your control. Knowing how to solve problems before they arise allows you to deal with them promptly. Let’s dive into the top tenant complaints and their solutions! 

1. Maintenance Complaints

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to maintain your rental property. Failing to keep the property clean and sanitary can drive tenants away and can leave you vulnerable to legal disputes. For this reason it’s crucial to conduct regular maintenance on your property.

Even with preventive measures, emergencies are unavoidable. Whether it’s a small issue, such as a leaky faucet, or a major repair, a quick response will prevent the problem from escalating. Moreover, addressing maintenance complaints promptly will show your tenants that you care about their well-being and comfort, thus improving your relationship significantly.

2. Noise Complaints

One of the most common tenant complaints landlords get are noise complaints. Noise disruptions such as construction work, parties, loud arguments, and even barking pets can have a negative impact on your tenant’s quality of life. If a noise complaint is left unattended for too long, tenants may reconsider living on your property. 

The first step to addressing a noise complaint is to assess the situation yourself. This allows you to find the cause and determine whether it constitutes an actual noise disturbance. Calmly discussing the issue and your expectations for resolution with the offending party can often put a stop to the problem. If this doesn’t work and the disruptions persist, you can make the decision to contact your local authorities. 

If you own a multi-family property, a condominium complex, or several rentals in the same neighborhood, you can take measures to minimize noise complaints. Adding noise regulation policies to your lease agreements allows you to keep noise disturbances to a minimum. 

3. Payment Issues

Collecting rent can be a complicated process and it becomes even more difficult if tenants have complaints about it. Your tenants may complain about the payment methods available, the lack of convenient options, or even about difficulties submitting their payments. Knowing how to avoid these issues will ensure that you get paid on time and will reduce the likelihood of late payments. 

The best way to avoid payment issues is to offer several payment options. Nowadays, most tenants prefer to pay rent online or through digital transactions. Occasionally you’ll find that some tenants prefer paying in cash or checks. Allowing tenants to decide between a few options of how they pay rent makes it easier for them, and it’s more likely you’ll receive payment on time.

4. Security Concerns

You should never downplay security concerns. Tenants can break their lease early if the rental property is unprotected, citing unsafe living conditions. If a renter ever complains about the lack of security measures on your property, you should address their concern promptly. 

When dealing with complaints concerning the safety of your rental property, you must take the time to inspect the issue thoroughly. Whether it’s a broken window or a lock that doesn’t work properly, you should act quickly to ensure the well-being of your tenant. 

By taking preventive measures, such as investing in quality locks and cameras, you can be confident that your tenants and your property are being protected.

5. Pest Infestations

Pests can endanger the health of your tenants by spreading diseases, triggering allergies, and contaminating food. They can also damage your property by gnawing on structures, wiring, and insulation, leading to costly repairs and potential fire hazards. 

If a tenant ever complains about a potential pest infestation on your rental, hire a professional exterminator. They will inspect the property, determine the gravity of the situation and recommend or perform removal strategies.

Even if there’s no pest infestation, investing in preventive pest control services can go a long way toward protecting both the tenant's health and property integrity. Check out this link for All You Need to Know About Pest Control.

Bottom Line

Tenant complaints are an unavoidable part of owning a rental property. Even if you regularly inspect the property and stay on top of property upkeep, there will be problems beyond your control.  

Listed above are some of the most common tenant complaints landlords encounter. By following the tips provided, you’ll be able to address these complaints promptly, keeping your tenants happy and your investment safe!

Need help dealing with tenant complaints? Contact Domain Property Management today. Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of Chicago landlords retain tenants for the long term and we’re ready to help you too!