
If you own a rental property and have dealt with a tenant leaving it in disarray, this article is for you. Many landlords find themselves thinking, “Help! My last tenant trashed my DFW house!”
Have you had a tenant leave your rental in less-than-ideal condition? You’re not alone—nearly every landlord has encountered this issue at some point. If you’ve found yourself looking at your rental property and saying, “Help! My tenant trashed my DFW house,” here are some steps you can take to address the situation…
Is it worth going after the tenant?
The first step is to thoroughly assess the damage left behind by your tenant. Take a detailed inventory of the issues, from minor scuffs and stains to more serious structural or cosmetic damage. Document everything with photos and notes to have a clear understanding of the extent of the damage.
Once you’ve assessed the situation, you’ll need to determine whether it’s worth pursuing the tenant for compensation. Unfortunately, in many cases, it may not be worth the effort. The process of holding a tenant accountable for property damage can be time-consuming and costly. You may need to go through legal channels, which can involve filing a lawsuit, attending court, and potentially hiring an attorney. Even if you win a judgment against the tenant, collecting the money owed can be a challenging and prolonged process, especially if the tenant has already moved out of the area or has limited financial resources.
However, if the damage is significant—such as major destruction that will require costly repairs—you might decide that pursuing the tenant is necessary to recoup your losses. In this case, you should weigh the potential costs and time involved against the likelihood of successfully recovering the money. It may also be worth consulting with a legal professional to understand your options and the best course of action. Ultimately, the decision will depend on the severity of the damage and your willingness to invest the time and resources needed to seek compensation from the tenant.
Is it worth repairing the damage?
From holes in the walls to missing toilets, we’ve encountered nearly every type of damage you can imagine! In some cases, the damage might be relatively minor and easily repairable with a bit of drywall and paint. If that’s the case, you might decide to invest in these repairs and rent the property out again, considering the expense and effort as part of the cost of doing business.
However, if the damage is extensive or requires significant repairs that you’re not willing or able to handle yourself, you might want to explore other options. For instance, you could consider hiring a professional contractor to fix the issues. While this will involve an additional expense, it could restore the property to a condition suitable for renting or selling.
Alternatively, if the repairs are too costly or the property’s condition is too far gone, you might think about selling the property as-is. This option allows you to avoid the time, cost, and hassle of repairs, and can be particularly useful if you’re looking to move on quickly from the property. Selling as-is also means you can avoid the complexities of managing repair work and focus on other aspects of your real estate investments.
Ultimately, your choice will depend on the extent of the damage, your budget for repairs, and your long-term plans for the property.
You could rent your house to a handyman
One often-overlooked option is to find a handyman who is interested in renting the property. In exchange for a reduced rent or even free rent, they can take care of the repairs and renovations needed to restore the house to a desirable condition. Be sure to establish a clear timeline and set specific expectations to ensure that the work is completed in a reasonable timeframe and to avoid potential delays or incomplete repairs.
You could sell the house
Another viable option is to sell the house and move on from the hassle of managing a problematic rental property. However, if you choose to sell the house on the open market, you should be prepared to invest in repairs and renovations first. Many buyers expect properties to be in good condition, and a real estate agent may recommend fixing up the house to make it more appealing and to meet market standards. This could involve additional costs and time, as you would need to address repairs and possibly undertake improvements to attract buyers and secure a favorable sale price.
Alternatively, you can opt to sell the property privately to a house-buying team like ours. We specialize in purchasing homes in their current, as-is condition. This means you won’t need to worry about making any repairs or updates before selling. Our team will handle the necessary improvements and renovations ourselves, allowing you to sell the house quickly and with minimal stress. This approach offers a straightforward solution, enabling you to avoid the complexities and expenses associated with traditional selling methods while moving on from a frustrating rental property.