You have a problem. The property management pros have the solution.
What’s the problem?
Noise.
See, there’s this duplex you own in Gainesville, Virginia. In one of the units lives a newly married couple (We’ll call them… Married Couple.) and their six-month old son. You couldn’t ask for better tenants: They pay the rent on time, every time, and they never complain. Or well, they HAD never complained until recently. Last month, someone new (He’s Mr. Single Guy.) moved in next door. He seems nice, and responsible enough, but now, your phone is ringing off the hook:
“He plays his music all hours of the night.”
“It sounds like we’re living in a construction zone!”
“He woke the baby three times last week.”
As the landlord, it’s your job to ensure that your tenants — all of your tenants — have a safe, comfortable, and yes, reasonably quiet place to live.
So what’s the solution?
- First, you’ll want to determine if there is actual merit to the complaint. Until Mr. Single Guy moved in next door, that unit was empty, and had been since Married Couple took up residence in your rental home last year. So there’s a chance they’re just being overly sensitive. Speak directly to the supposed culprit and see what he has to say.
- Address the issue. If you find that, yes, Mr. Single Guy is being a little too noisy, ask him to stop. Seems simple because it is simple. Make sure to let Married Couple know that there shouldn’t be anything more to worry about.
- That’s the end of it, right? Well, we hope so. But maybe not. Married Couple might soon call again to say, “He woke the baby… again.” Here’s where it’s time to pull out a copy of your lease. The rental agreement should contain a clause regarding noise violations and quiet hours. Call the repeat issue to Mr. Single Guy’s attention, and tell him that he may be subject to the penalties as spelled out in the lease.
- This guy just won’t cut the noise. Married Couple has called again, and they’re growing increasingly frustrated. As they have a right to be. Babies, and new parents need their sleep. Issue Mr. Single Guy a “Cure or Quit” notice, which will give him the option to quit the lease-breaching behavior — or leave.
No landlord wants to have to consider evicting a tenant, especially not one who has just moved in, but if Mr. Single Guy insists that midnight is the perfect time to practice his drum solo, it may be the only remaining option.
Call on the northern Virginia property management pros.
Management Pros has been serving northern Virginia’s rental community for years. Whether you need property management in Gainesville, Arlington or Manassas, we can help!