Learning how to differentiate between a legitimate complaint and an unnecessary one can save you a lot of trouble in the long run when dealing with tenants. After all, the last thing you want is to let a minor issue fester till it becomes a significant one, but at the same time, you don’t want to waste your time and effort on a fabricated problem. That’s why we’ve put together this article to help you determine when a complaint is false, and we’ll also be highlighting some of the most common examples. Continue reading below as we also share tips on how you can protect your property from false complaints.
What is a False Complaint?
Before getting into the nitty-gritty, we have to clarify what a false complaint is. In short, it is when a tenant makes a claim about your property that is misleading. As a result, this complaint could directly or indirectly harm the landlord’s reputation, and in some instances, the tenant could even extort money from the property owner through court proceedings. Not only do false complaints waste the landlord’s time and resources, but they can also lead to unnecessary legal disputes with a negative outcome for you. For example, if you’re having trouble with a tenant and wish to evict them, they could claim that you didn’t follow proper procedure which could stall the eviction process. That could cause a ripple effect by forcing you to miss out on rent and delay your search for a new tenant.
Examples of False Complaints in a Rental
Fabricated Maintenance Issues
Bay Property Management Group recommends documenting and gathering evidence for any and all issues raised by your tenant, and that includes maintenance requests. In some scenarios, tenants can make false claims that essential appliances, plumbing, or the property’s electrical system are malfunctioning. However, this tactic is common with renters looking for a way to delay rent payments, which can reduce your cash flow. Notify them when you visit or request pictures and videos of the malfunctioning system they are complaining about to easily spot such lies. To prevent this from happening in the future, it’s important to screen tenants before renting out your property.
False Accusations of Discrimination
Establish a standard tenant screening process to avoid claims of discriminatory practices. Despite being a sensitive subject, some renters aren’t below falsing accusing you of discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, or disability. For instance, after a heated dispute with a tenant over a late rental payment, they may report false harassment claims to get you in trouble in the law. As a result, these baseless claims could create unnecessary legal drama for your business, and could even tarnish your reputation. That’s why experts recommend creating a standard tenant screening process and keeping written correspondence of your interaction to have evidence in your favor.
Fabricated Noise Complaints
Imagine getting complaints from one tenant about another renter playing loud music at odd hours. After receiving such reports you have a conversation with the other renter to keep the noise down, but other tenants insist that no such disturbance exists. In such a scenario, you should have every reason to suspect that the tenant who initially made the complaint completely fabricated it, possibly as an excuse to terminate their lease early. However, rather than dismiss it, advise tenants to document the times their neighbors are noisy to aid in filing an official complaint.
Claims of Uninhabitable Living Conditions
Perform a house inspection if your tenant makes a claim that your property is uninhabitable. Despite taking repairs seriously and doing your best to keep up with current building codes, some tenants can still attempt to outsmart you by claiming that the heater isn’t working or their windows are broken. Thus, they could use these minor code violations as an excuse to withhold rent, even when your property is in top-notch condition. In the same vein, these tenants could also falsely claim that you’re breaking imaginary safety hazards as a means to delay paying rent.
How Can Landlords Protect Their Property from False Complaints?
- Conduct Thorough Tenant Screening
Minimize the chances of dealing with difficult tenants and fabricated claims by conducting a thorough tenant screening. Renters who make wild and false accusations tend to follow a pattern, which is why you should always prioritize references from previous landlords. For example, if you have an applicant that seems good on paper with a steady income and high credit score, but their former landlord complains of having trouble evicting them, it could be a red flag. In such a scenario, if there’s an equally high-quality tenant with a glowing recommendation from their former property owner, you’d be better off going with them.
- Keep Detailed Records
Don’t underestimate the value of keeping records of your property inspections, maintenance requests, and communication with tenants. After signing the lease, many landlords tend to stick to informal communication with no written documentation, but this habit is a big mistake. The last thing you want is to wind up in a situation with no solid evidence to dispute false claims. As a result, it would be best to keep time and date-stamped records of your inspections and communication with tenants.
- Stay Proactive in Maintenance
Respond to maintenance issues promptly to create a positive tenant-landlord relationship with your renters. Before making a false dispute, many tenants tend to have a strained relationship with their property owner, which makes it easier for them to lie, even in court. However, addressing maintenance problems quickly can create a friendlier dynamic and give less water to false claims.
Conclusion
Protect your time and resources by learning how to spot a false complaint. While property repairs are an essential responsibility for every landlord, when tenants create fabricated problems to get out of paying rent or getting evicted, it can create serious legal issues for you. For example, they could claim your property is not habitable or slander your reputation by accusing you of discrimination.
That’s why it would be best to conduct a thorough tenant screening and prioritize recommendations from previous landlords. You can also keep detailed records of your communication with tenants to have evidence supporting your side and address maintenance issues promptly to build a positive relationship with your tenants.
