No matter how prepared you are, landlords are bound to encounter upset tenants in their career. Sometimes the issue is something easily reversible, but other times it might seem completely out of your control. However, it’s important to keep your tenants happy and satisfied so you can maintain a strong landlord-tenant relationship.
Thankfully, we’ve put together a list of common apartment complaints and how to fix them yourself so you don’t have to spend a lot of time and money solving each issue. Whether you are on a budget, need a quick fix, or are a tenant looking for modifications that fit your lease agreement, these DIY hacks will do the trick to make your rental complaint-free.
There’s nothing like cozying up on the couch with a good book — that is, until the neighbors on the right start blaring their music and the neighbor’s dog to the left won’t stop barking.
Turns out, 30% of Americans report being annoyed by their neighbors. It’s no surprise noisy neighbors are a common apartment complaint reported to landlords and property managers.
If your rental unit has thin walls, consider trying DIY sound-proofing methods to avoid the problem for future tenants.
Pests are never fun to deal with. As a landlord, performing a quarterly or bimonthly pest control routine is essential. However, renters also need to do their part to avoid such nuisances, such as keeping the apartment clean and reporting any standing water around the unit.
A study done by Consumer Affairs found that renters are most likely to worry about ants, spiders, roaches, and bed bugs, so it’s important for landlords to do what’s necessary to avoid any of those vermin complaints.
Whether you’re a landlord or tenant, try these DIY natural bug repellent hacks to keep bug invaders out of your rental.
Another common apartment complaint is a lack of storage. From a wide range of miscellaneous items like cleaning supplies, such as bulky vacuums and mops, to seasonal items, like puffy winter coats and holiday decor, one tiny hall closet won’t cut it. It’s important for tenants to have space for these items so they can live comfortably in your rental unit.
If you’re a tenant or a landlord who offers furnished rentals, use these quick and easy DIY storage hacks to organize a small space and keep it from getting cluttered.
Opening up the curtains to an outlook of the tall brick building next door that blocks not only your view but sunlight is a drag. Natural light is important for any home, as it aids in your mental health and makes a space feel more inviting. So it’s no surprise that prospective tenants look for rentals with a lot of natural light and how the lack of it can quickly become a complaint.
However, adding more or bigger windows may not be an option as it’s expensive and time-consuming. Nevertheless, making sure your rental at least appears to be bright and inviting is essential for finding potential tenants and keeping current ones satisfied.
If your rental lacks windows or has a grand view of the wall next door, use these hacks to create the illusion of natural light in your rental space.
In the United States, the average apartment size is just 889 square feet — so it’s no wonder that it’s a common apartment complaint by tenants. However, a small space is sometimes unavoidable, especially in big cities like New York City and San Francisco. For landlords, making a space feel as spacious as possible will help you appeal to prospective tenants and keep your rental unit occupied.
If your rental is a bit tight, use these DIY hacks to make your apartment appear much bigger than it really is.
In a competitive market, tenants seek rentals that have all the bells and whistles, like up-to-date kitchens, bathrooms, and hardwood floors. When you own a rental that’s outdated, it can steer potential renters away as they may be looking for something more modern and stylish.
As a landlord, maintaining and keeping your property updated is important to ensure you stay competitive and attract potential renters. Plus, renovating a rental property will help it increase in value and serve as a great passive income opportunity.
Renovating a rental to make it look up-to-date can take a lot of time and money, so use these simple DIYs to help your rental appear attractive and modern.
When getting ready to show your rental to prospective tenants, the last thing you want is to have musty odors wafting throughout. It causes the apartment to feel dirty and unkempt, making it an apartment complaint that could make potential renters turn up their nose. Making your apartment feel fresh and inviting is key to attracting quality tenants.
To help ensure future tenants won’t turn down your property, try out these natural deodorizing remedies throughout your unit to combat those pesky odors.
When cozying up on the couch to enjoy a morning cup of coffee, the cold winter air from the living room window can quickly ruin the atmosphere. Whether your rental is brand new or not, it’s possible for it to have a draft. They occur where there are gaps in construction and small openings are left unsealed to the outside. Areas next to windows and doors are most prevalent to a draft, causing uneven temperatures.
Especially if your rental is in colder climates, this can become a big apartment complaint by your tenants, as it makes it less comfortable and raises the heating bill.
These DIY draft-proofing methods on your windows and doors will help increase your tenants’ comfort and satisfaction in their apartment:
The right lighting has the ability to make a space feel warm and inviting, while ugly fluorescents can make a space feel like an old hospital room. If your rental has less-than-ideal lighting, you may encounter tenants asking to change it. Get ahead of the apartment complaint and replace or spruce up your current lighting fixtures.
Whether you are a tenant looking for ways to mask your rental lighting or a landlord on a budget, use these DIY lighting hacks to give your unit new life.
One of the downsides of apartment living is less privacy and seclusion. However, your tenants’ privacy should be of the utmost importance, and the lack of it can become a huge apartment complaint among tenants. You always want to respect boundaries and offer the best solutions to not-so-ideal situations.
To help improve privacy in an apartment, use these easy hacks to make it feel more comfortable and separate from other units.
Landlords know that even if you put in the time and effort to avoid any type of issue, some are bound to pop up at some point and an apartment complaint will happen. That’s just part of the business. Use these guidelines to help you handle these tenant complaints with pristine professionalism and property management skills.
Apartment complaints are unavoidable, but preparing for them is your best bet to attract quality tenants and keep them satisfied from the very beginning. To help you find quality tenants, use our rental application and tenant screening services.
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