Is your tenant avoiding your calls and the curtains suspiciously drawn every time you visit? It could be that they are hiding from the inevitable question about why you didn't receive last month's rent.

It can be frustrating for a landlord to be in this situation, but there are ways to minimize the impact. Here is a practical guide on handling the problem of delinquent rent.

The Legal Aspect to Delinquent Rent

State law, specifically tenant rights, is something that all landlords should understand.

In North Carolina, specific rules govern how landlords can handle problems like late rent payments. For example, you can't issue an eviction notice immediately if a tenant doesn't pay.

If there is a late or non-payment, you must give the tenant time to remedy the problem, namely, ten days. Tenants also have a right to fair hearings if the case should go to court.

Taking Preventative Methods

As a landlord, you can take plenty of steps to minimize the odds of rent delinquency.

First, focus on effective tenant screening. You should look at the tenant's rental history for evidence of non-payment. Financial checks, such as evidence of income and credit score, are also vital.

When writing your lease, be transparent about your payment terms and make your rules easy to read.

Finally, keep in touch with the tenant. Regular communication can smooth over many potential issues. Send reminders before the rent is due to avoid tenant payment problems.

Build a Strong Relationship With Your Tenant

Relationships built on trust are valuable in any walk of life, and that's true for landlord-tenant relationships, too.

If you can establish an honest and trusted relationship with your tenant, you'll lower the chances of headaches, such as dealing with late rent.

The best way to do that is by listening to your tenant and acting on their requests. If there is a problem in the building, like the HVAC not working, be prompt in your response and demonstrate a proactive approach.

Be reasonable, too, when talking to tenants. They are more likely to see you as a trusted friend that way.

Recovering Missing Rent

If a tenant pays late, it's crucial to deal with the problem immediately. Ignoring a late payment and hoping the tenant remembers only makes it harder to recover lost money later.

The first step is to talk to your tenant about rental payment issues. It could be that they forgot or are having cash flow problems. If it's the latter, discuss a payment plan. Finding a middle ground is often the best way to resolve things.

Remind your tenant about late payment fees and be consistent and transparent when applying these charges. If all else fails, you should consider starting a formal eviction process.

Taking a Proactive Approach to Delinquent Rent

Delinquent rent can be a stressful aspect of property management. But by proactively tackling the issue head-on, you can minimize the impact on your real estate business.

At Carolina Property Management, LLC., you have a trusted and experienced team who will always be on your side and working in your interests. Visit our services page to find out more about how we can help you.