Tenant screening has always been part and parcel of the rental experience, but recent years have thankfully seen that glare falling back on landlords. A rise in rental scams and generally unsatisfactory rental agreements has led countless renters to also assess the suitability of their landlords, with a particular eye on obvious red flags, like financially suspicious behavior or unusual lease terms.
But not all landlord red flags are obvious. There are also plenty of less obvious issues that could lead to significant emotional distress and financial loss over time. Avoid that eventually by always being wary around the following hidden landlord warning signs.
# 1 - A General Lack of Rental Knowledge
Everyone has to start somewhere, but renters should always steer clear of landlords who don’t seem to know the first thing about local rental markets. This is because each tenancy should be closely in keeping with local rental laws, many of which are constantly evolving in favor of renters. If your landlord isn’t keeping a close eye on those adjustments, you could ultimately end up trapped in a bad deal down the line.
Of course, it can be difficult to understand the full depth of a landlord’s knowledge upfront, but things like incorrect information and processes that sit outside of current norms could be early indicators of a problem. By comparison, a landlord who has conducted proper real estate investor training, or who simply has a decent amount of experience, will do everything by the book from day one, and may even teach you a few things you didn’t know about local rental regulations!
# 2 - A Long-Distance Arrangement
A long-distance landlord needn’t necessarily be a cause for concern. In fact, outsourcing property management from afar is now standard fare, and it could actually serve you well for ensuring access to experienced rental pros. But if your landlord lives far away yet still intends to manage your property themselves, then the arrangement at least warrants some questions.
This is an especially important note, because many renters may see a distant landlord as a positive. A lack of check ins can certainly be freeing, but remember that a distanced arrangement can also result in slower communications and a general lack of landlord presence. So, always ask how they intend to handle interactions, repairs, and general checks to avoid issues later.
# 3 - An Incompatible Personality
Landlords tend to vet tenants for everything from their legal history to their general demeanor, yet tenants are made to feel like the past and personality of their landlord is none of their concern.
To some extent, this is true – you’re not trusting a landlord to live and look after your property, after all. But you are trusting them with a lot of money and your general quality of living. So, it’s also worth looking out for warning signs of an incompatible or problematic personality, such as a clear lack of patience, understanding, or interest. All of which could see you left out in the cold if you aren’t careful.
