No landlord wants to have to deal with a difficult tenant, but the truth is, you probably won’t be able to avoid it forever. Whether your resident(s) never pay their rent on time, disturb their neighbors, or complain about every little thing, there are steps you can take to ease the burden.

Remain objective.

If you hear the same sob story every month — one resident can only lose the same job so many times in a year — the tenant is probably trying to appeal to your emotions; don’t let them. Set policies, and adhere to them. Be reasonable in your expectations; sometimes, emergencies do arise, and flexibility is key. Just don’t let yourself be taken advantage of.

Write everything down.

When house or building ground rules are recorded on paper, tenants are more likely to follow them. A written agreement will give you the power: A resident who signed a document such as this, but then still breaks the rules has no recourse. Note excessive late payments to show a pattern.

Serve an out-of-line tenant with a notice detailing the poor behavior, and the necessary steps that must be taken. A written document looks and feels official, and with any luck, the resident will heed your warning.

Get personal.

But… didn’t we just say to remain objective? Yes. Objectivity is necessary when there is a problem that must be resolved, but open lines of communication can keep a difficult tenant from becoming even more so. No matter how many times that guy in 2C has called to complain about his upstairs neighbor’s creaky floorboards, answer the phone. Hear him out, do what you can, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll see he’s not so difficult after all.

Ask the tenant to leave.

This is especially easy if your rental operates on a month-to-month basis; if you include a clause in the lease that allows for 30-day notice, or if your tenant has violated the agreement time and again, ask them to leave.

Pursue legal action.

Involve the police and the courts only when absolutely necessary, as it may be in the case of non-payment or illegal activity. Eviction is complicated and costly, so hire a qualified attorney, and remember to follow the letter of the law.

Don’t let a difficult tenant cause you undue stress, and don’t take his or her actions personally. It is your responsibility to protect yourself, your property, and your investment.

5 Ways to Deal with a Difficult Tenant