Are you Dealing with These 5 Tenant Complaints with your Rental Property Management in Phoenix?
Rental property management in Phoenix can become a fast hassle when it comes to tenant complaints. Many complaints are valid and can impact the quality of life for the tenant. This includes lost sleep, interrupted family time, and a lot more.
One aspect of avoiding tenant complaints is knowing the common complaints to anticipate. This list will keep you informed of tenant complaints with rental property management in Phoenix, along with how to avoid them.
Complaint #1: Noise
Noise complaints are by far one of the most common that come from tenants. In the state of Arizona, the laws are quite specific in terms of what counts as too much noise. In Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 1368, the noise must materially affect the health and safety of others. It also falls under the covenant of quiet enjoyment. However, the state does not explicitly outline how much noise is enough to be considered as a violation. The judge will factor common sense and other elements considered as a reasonable level of daytime noise. Keep in mind daytime noise generally has a louder maximum level than nighttime sounds.Avoiding Noise Complaints
How do you avoid noise complaints from tenants? There are several actions you can take to keep trouble from starting, including:- Clearly outline acceptable noise levels in your lease.
- Set a time of day for a noise curfew. This eliminates any potential of any vagueness or subjective points of view.
- Encourage tenants to get to know one another. If problems arise with noise levels, they may opt to solve the problem on their own.
- Take action with problematic tenants. If a specific tenant is regularly violating the noise ordinance on the lease, it’s time to issue a warning or begin the eviction process.
Complaint #2: Maintenance Issues
In a tenant and landlord agreement, many times the landlord is responsible for maintenance and repairs. This can involve anything from faulty air conditioning to weak water pressure.
When a tenant approaches a landlord about maintenance, time is of the essence. An important aspect of rental property management in Phoenix is addressing issues in a timely manner.
Avoiding Issues that Arise with Maintenance
There is no guaranteed way to ensure maintenance problems won’t pop up. Eventually, any home needs maintenance and repairs. However, you can help avoid escalation of issues by:- Outlining any routine maintenance necessary to keep appliances in working order.
- Outlining communication expectations, such as when the landlord will fulfill maintenance requests.
- In Arizona, you have 10 days to complete repairs for the tenant. If you don’t fix them within this timeframe, the tenant may be allowed to hire professional help and deduct the cost from the rent.
- Issues that affect a tenant’s health or safety requires immediate action.
Complaint #3: Pests and Critters
In Arizona, there is an array of bugs and critters that might come into your tenants’ units. Some of these pests include scorpions, ants, termites, and roaches. Meanwhile, critters such as mice or even snakes can make their way into a rental property. Unfortunately, sometimes pests can come inside because of tenant behavior. Food left out on the counters and inside pantries can attract ants and roaches. Raccoons can get into trash cans or dog food left outside.Avoiding Pest and Critter Complaints
- Discuss the protocol that occurs when pests and critters invade your tenants’ units.
- Make sure cracks around the house are sealed to prevent entry.
- Outline ways that tenants can prevent pests such as making sure food is cleaned up and trash cans are secured outside.
Complaint #4: Safety Concerns
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home. However, a tenant might approach you with safety complaints. These complaints can fall in line with:- Broken glass in windows
- Broken window locks or door locks
- Windows that won’t stay closed
- Smoke detectors aren’t working
Avoiding Safety Concern Complaints
Thoroughly inspect the unit before the tenant moves in. Keep a checklist of all areas in the home that were inspected for safety measures. You can provide this to the tenant to show the dates of when these items were last inspected or fixed. When safety issues pop up, respond as quickly as possible, and address the situation at hand. Ideally, safety issues need addressing faster than the 10-day allowance provided by the state.Complaint #5: Mold
Arizona might be a dry climate, but mold can still form inside your units. This can happen without proper ventilation in bathrooms or kitchens. Mold can also develop from leaks around windows or through roofs.
If a tenant calls your attention to mold growth, here are a few helpful facts to keep in mind:
- You can usually smell large mold infestations.
- Tenants with allergies are the most sensitive to mold.
- Not all types of mold are dangerous, but it generally needs to be removed.
- If mold begins spreading on carpets and furniture, the only remedy is replacement of the item.
- Black mold is the most dangerous.
Avoiding Mold Complaints
The following steps can help prevent mold growth in your rental property.- Mold growth indicates there is a moisture problem at the property.
- Control humidity levels in your rental property. Ideally, the humidity should remain between 30% to 50%.
- Air conditioning and dehumidifiers can help decrease humidity problems indoors.
- Ensure that your rental property has proper ventilation. Install exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen as necessary.
- Fix leaky areas of the home that are allowing moisture inside.
- Do not attempt to clean the mold by mixing bleach and ammonia. This combination creates dangerous and toxic fumes.
