Tenant Scenario: Not Maintaining the Property

As mentioned previously, drive by the property at least once a quarter. Check for the following:

• Not mowing the lawn
• Not weeding the lawn/garden
• Not watering the lawn
• Vehicles on the lawn
• Burned out exterior light-bulbs
• Not shoveling the walk/driveway after it snows
• General cleaning and maintaining of exterior not taking place

Call the tenant if you notice they are not maintaining the property during one of your periodic inspections. Let them know they are in violation of the lease and that it needs to be resolved by the following date. Followup with an email and a letter with the date the violation was noticed, specific details about the violation, the date the violation needs to be resolved by, and the consequences for non-compliance.

Visit the property on the date you specified the issue should be resolved by to confirm whether the work was done or not.

If the work was done the matter is concluded for now but make a note to inspect the status again in a month.

If the issue has not been resolved, serve the tenant with a 3 Day Demand for Compliance.

If the issue is resolved prior to the 3 day deadline, charge the tenant any legal fees you incurred for serving the demand notice.

If the issue is still un-resolved by the 3 day deadline have your attorney start the eviction process.

Hire someone to complete the maintenance work not done by your tenant. Charge any fees incurred back to the tenant during the eviction process.