Contact Sales +1 760 322 7961

4 Warning Signs of a Bad Tenant for Palm Desert Property Owners

Blog post featured image
15
Dec

Good tenants can be challenging to find, and property owners must take the time to screen potential candidates. The right approach to reviewing prospective tenants should include checking credit records, criminal history, and eviction notices on file with the court system before agreeing to rent them a property.

A bad tenant will exhibit specific signs that can help a property owner spot them before allowing them to move in. The best property management company Palm Desert offers suggests that a tenant screening process should include safeguards to identify these four warning signs of bad tenants to avoid making a costly mistake.

What Are Four Warning Signs of a Bad Renter?

If you've ever wondered, "what does a property manager do," they can often help real estate investors avoid bad renters! A property management company can assist with the screening process and recognize the following signs that an applicant could be a bad choice for your rental property. 

WARNING danger sign word text

1. They Don't Want to Fill Out a Rental Application

There could be many reasons why a lousy tenant wouldn't want to fill out a rental application. For example, they may have a poor credit history or a criminal record that they don't want landlords to see. They may also have been evicted from a previous rental property, and they don't want property owners to find out. To conduct a property tenant screening, avoid accepting anyone that doesn't submit an application. 

2. They Want to Negotiate Everything

A bad renter may want to negotiate aspects of living in your rental property that aren't negotiable. For example, they might ask for a lower monthly rental payment or request to reduce the security deposit before signing the lease. When an applicant isn't willing to go by the rules before moving in, this can be a red flag. 

3. They Don't Pay Rent On Time 

If your tenant screening process reveals a history of late rental payments (or defaults), the prospective tenant probably isn't a good idea for your rental property. If you're not sure how to evaluate rental history, work with a company that provides professional property management services and a thorough tenant screening process. A bad renter that doesn't pay rent on time leads to rental income loss for a property owner. 

4. They Have a Low Credit Score

Part of being a good renter is being financially responsible. While there can be several reasons for a low credit score, in general, bad credit can be a sign of a potentially bad tenant. When reviewing credit history, pay attention to a low score, bankruptcies, defaults, and other signs that a potential tenant won't be able to keep up with rental payments during the lease term. 

What Does a Bad Renter Really Cost?

What happens if a property owner ignores the four signs above? A bad renter can create significant costs for real estate investors. While it may be challenging to find the right tenant, taking time to screen and place quality residents is better for your bottom line. 

kids pday on the table while flooding in the kitchen

Bad Tenants Don't Take Care of the Property

A bad renter may not take care of the property, creating a costly problem for the owner. According to your lease agreement, renters must keep a property clean, avoid causing damage, and report maintenance issues right away. When a resident doesn't follow these rules, a property owner can face expensive repairs and lengthy repair times that delay a new tenant's move-in date and important rental income.

Terrible Residents Disturb Neighbors and Other Tenants

Your property can become unpopular and difficult to keep occupied when a bad renter gives you a bad reputation as a landlord. When renters party late into the night, play loud music, or fight with neighbors or other tenants in the building, you and your rental home become a nuisance for the neighborhood. It's essential to choose renters who interact well with their neighbors and follow the rules to prevent occupancy challenges down the road. 

Bad Renters Stop Communicating and Refuse Entry

Dealing with a bad renter becomes more challenging when they stop responding to communications, notices, or reminders. Troublesome tenants can also try to refuse entry into the property, despite giving them plenty of warning with a written notice. This could result from the property owner finding out that the tenant was not paying rent or that damages needed to be repaired. Property owners need excellent communication with renters to avoid finding unexpected problems in the property or going months without payment from a tenant. 

Avoid Bad Tenants With a Palm Desert Property Management Company

The best way to spot the warning signs of a bad tenant (and avoid them) is to work with a Palm Desert property management company. The best property managers can easily identify the characteristics of a prospective tenant that could be a mistake for your rental properties. 

McLean Company offers professional property management services to help investors experience quality tenants and better returns! If you're struggling to find better residents, let's talk soon about how we can help! 

Contact Us

Previous Article Next Article

Similar Posts

How Palm Springs Owners Can Spot (and Avoid) a Professional Tenant
09
Dec
How Palm Springs Owners Can Spot (and Avoid) a Professional Tenant

When renting out a property, owners need residents who will take care of the place and treat it like their own. Unfortunately, sometimes a tenant...

Learn More
How Much Does a Bad Renter Cost Palm Desert Property Owners?
25
Nov
How Much Does a Bad Renter Cost Palm Desert Property Owners?

Property owners know that finding the right tenant for a rental property is a top priority. Putting up with bad tenants, like people who don't pay...

Learn More
Proper Tenant Screening Tips: Coachella Valley Property Owners
10
Nov
Proper Tenant Screening Tips: Coachella Valley Property Owners

Tenant screening is a crucial step in the process of renting your property. All too often, landlords don't do a thorough job with this task, which...

Learn More

Subscribe Newsletter

Get instant blog update right into your mail box

Trending Tags