How to Deal With a Difficult Landlord: Tips to Follow When Your Landlord Is Being Unreasonable

If you are a renter, you know how important it is to have a trustworthy landlord. Moving is a big gamble because what happens if your new landlord doesn’t measure up?

Many renters deal with difficult landlords. Rental property issues can include a slow response to maintenance, refusing to return security deposits, and nit-picking every minor problem.

Maintaining a good relationship is vital because that landlord will often be a reference when you move into your next rental. The following are some essential tips for how to deal with a difficult landlord. If you have more severe issues with your landlord, ask an experienced landlord-tenant lawyer for legal advice.

Understand Landlord-Tenant Laws

If you think your landlord is trying to take advantage of you, remember that you have rights. Depending on your state or city, you could have several protections available. Tenant’s rights include:

• Withholding rent if your landlord does not provide timely maintenance of essential services, such as water, heat, and electricity
• Making repairs yourself and deducting expenses from your rent
• Receiving sufficient notice of rent increases
• Being able to convert your lease to month-to-month if you choose
• Having a longer eviction timeline if you are unable to make rent payments on time
• Setting a maximum amount for security deposits

Remember, these laws vary by state and city. It is crucial that you are aware of the specific rules that apply to you and your situation.

When your landlord fails to meet their obligations, you should consider talking to an attorney with experience in landlord-tenant litigation. They will be able to protect your rights and explain your legal options about what you should do.

Document Everything

If your dispute with your landlord rises to the level of needing to speak with a landlord-tenant attorney, keep documentation. Communicate with your landlord via email and text so that you have records of your requests and issues.

Some examples of good documentation include:

• Text messages, emails, and voice messages
• Photos of your apartment (including when you move in, when you move out, or when you report any maintenance issues)
• Recordings of noise issues (such as a noisy neighbor that the landlord will not address)

Understand Your Lease Agreement

This is not the fine print of signing up for a streaming service. This is your home. Review your lease to understand your obligations in addition to those of your landlord.

Some landlords may let some minor violations slide. Have a good understanding of your relationship with your landlord. It’s a business relationship, and if you break the rules, there may be consequences. That means you should be aware of the rules regarding:

• Late rent payment (penalties, grace periods, etc.)
• How much notice you must give for renewing or moving out
• Pets and any additional costs
• Guests and roommates
• What happens to your rent if your roommate moves out
• Subletting your rental

That is just a small sample of what you should look for. Your lease may be much more detailed. In any case, read the fine print.

Be a Good Tenant

In many cases, if you’re a good tenant from the start and continue to be throughout the life of your lease, this can prevent many disputes from developing. Being a good tenant can mean:

• Paying your rent on time (or communicating when you can’t)
• Taking care of your apartment or home
• Living up to your obligations in the lease (such as lawn care)
• Reporting maintenance issues in a timely fashion

Of course, being a good tenant will not mean much if you have a lazy or hostile landlord who isn’t interested in fixing problems. But if a dispute ever escalates to legal action, being a model tenant will work in your favor.

Be Respectful

If you are disagreeing with your landlord, be respectful. If your landlord is having difficulty, you have a right to demand the service that your lease terms and the law require. Be respectful but be firm and persistent. If you can’t resolve repair requests or security deposits with the property owner, it may be time to turn to a lawyer.

Know Your Rights and When to Turn to an Attorney

Educate yourself on the tenancy rights based on state laws and local regulations. However, dealing with a lousy landlord or property management may be beyond your reach. Talk to an experienced attorney who can ensure the landlord is held responsible for their unfair actions. Your attorney can discuss your legal rights and how you can recover compensation from the landlord.