THE BEST PRACTICES IN HANDLING DIFFICULT SAN FRANCISCO TENANTS Property Management in San Francisco

Every landlord has their own definition of a difficult tenant. Maybe it’s someone who doesn’t pay on time - ever. Maybe it’s the tenant who calls nearly every day with minor complaints and perceived problems. 

Difficult tenants are frustrating. We can give you tons of tips on how to avoid those tenants in the first place, but if you’re dealing with one RIGHT NOW, you’ll need to know what you should do.


Here are some best practices in handling those difficult San Francisco tenants.

A STRONG LEASE IS EXCELLENT BACK-UP

Difficult tenants are one of the best reasons you have a strong lease agreement in place. If tenants don’t like a policy or they’re combative about something they don’t like, you can direct them back to the lease agreement, which they signed. A lease can be your best defense against disputes about unauthorized pets, late rent, and late night noise. 

1. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING WITH DIFFICULT SAN FRANCISCO TENANTS

Make sure you document every encounter you have with a tenant, especially if they’re difficult. When they call to complain about senseless things, make a note of it. When they are displeased that a repair is taking too long, write it down. Keeping good notes will protect you against any potential claims, threats, or lawsuits. 

Attach a time and date stamp onto every note you make about phone calls. Save emails and texts. Create a timeline of things your tenant has done to disrupt other tenants, avoid paying rent, or rage about maintenance.

2. COMMUNICATE TRANSPARENTLY AND HONESTLY

It’s tempting to tell those persistent tenants anything they want to hear just to make them go away. 

Don’t do it. 

They’ll remember every word and take it as a promise. Instead of telling them what they want to hear, explain the situation and the timeline. Maybe they’ve waited too long for a repair. Express that you are sorry, explain why it’s taking so long, and tell them you’ll keep them in the loop. Don’t agree to do something right away if you know you aren’t going to do it.

Don’t shy away from uncomfortable conversations. If a tenant hasn’t paid rent in three weeks and you’re filing for eviction, explain why. Forward them the portion of the lease agreement that explains your rights and their responsibilities. 

3. ALWAYS REMAIN PROFESSIONAL

Of course you want to change the locks on the tenant who is a month behind in rent. You might want to kidnap the dog that keeps barking, causing the entire building to complain. 

None of that is acceptable, and you’ll need to remain professional at all times when dealing with your tenants. Don’t allow situations to escalate, and always keep yourself in check. When difficult tenants violate the lease agreement or refuse to pay rent, you have the option of eviction. There’s no need to make it an emotional matter, no matter how difficult your tenants are.

San Francisco property managers provide a buffer

It’s worth remembering that you don’t have to deal with tenants at all when you partner with a San Francisco property management company. When you have a property manager on your side, you don’t have to worry about any of your tenant’s petty complaints or incessant stories that explain why rent is late. Your management company is responsible for that relationship.

SAN FRANCISCO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

At BanCal Property Management, we’ve been effectively dealing with all sorts of tenants since 1987. We know how to screen for only well-qualified, high-quality residents, and we deal professionally and proactively with difficult tenants. 

To hear more about our leasing and management services, please contact us. We also welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions for topics you want to learn about, so please share those too. Let us know about your most difficult tenant. How did you handle it?