If you own a rental property but have had a tenant trash it when they leave, then make sure you read this article because we’re addressing the all-too-common problem that landlords have when they say, “Help! My last tenant trashed my Tulsa house! “
Do you own a rental property? Did you have a tenant leave it in less-than-perfect condition? It happens! In fact, it’s an experience that probably every landlord has faced at least once. If you looked at your empty rental property and said, “Help! My tenant trashed my Tulsa house” then here are some things you can do about it…
Is it worth going after the tenant?
You must first analyze the damage and decide whether it is worthwhile to pursue the tenant. Unfortunately, it isn’t always worth the trouble because getting the tenant to pay you back can be time-consuming and sometimes costly. However, if the harm is severe enough, you may decide to do so.
Is it worth repairing the damage?
From holes in the walls to missing bathrooms, we’ve heard of just about anything! Sometimes a little drywall and paint will remedy the problem, in which case you could fix it up and rent it out again, and then accept the inconvenience as a cost of doing business. However, if the damage is not worth mending yourself, you may be interested in the following options:
You could rent your house to a handyman
One little-known but really useful option is to hire a handyman who wants to rent the house. In exchange for a rent reduction (or even free rent), they will repair the house so that it may be rented again. However, make sure you have a clear plan in place to avoid remaining too long without getting much work done.
You could sell the house
Another alternative is to sell the house and get rid of the annoying rental property. However, keep in mind that if you try to sell the house on the open market, you may need to repair it before the agent will list it. Another possibility is to sell privately to a house-buying team such as ours. (We buy houses in their current state and fix them up ourselves.)