Sell

Property Management

Contact Us

About Us

Rent

Home

Financing

Today's real estate news and insights delivered to you. We're here to guide you home and offer expert guidance for Selling, Buying, and Managing Real Estate.. Establish your own credibility as an agent by staying up to date on the housing market.

[node:title] | Real Estate and Rental Market news

[node:title] | Real Estate and Rental Market news | [site:name]

Blog Articles

<p><img alt="" src="//cms.eatonrealty.com/sites/default/files/images/article/2023/01/how-to-rent-florida-house.jpg" style="width:100%;height:auto;" /></p>
<p>Many Floridians aspire to own an investment property someday. After all, Florida is a prime vacation spot - and a place where many people want to live (approximately <a href="https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/general_lifestyle/july_2022/florida_is_most_desirable_state_to_live">18% of non-Florida residents would rather live in Florida if they could move</a>). There are many steps that you will need to take in order to rent your house in Florida if you are considering putting your home up for rent.</p>
<p>One of the most important things you will need to do is get all of your legal ducks in a row, from drafting a written lease agreement to complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and restrictions. You should also understand what tenants are looking for and take time to get your property in good shape. A seasoned property management team can help you with the process.</p>
<p>Eaton Realty works with buyers, sellers, tenants, and landlords in Hillsborough County, Florida. If your goal is to become a landlord, we can help you make that a reality. Reach out to learn how our team can assist you with purchasing, marketing, and managing rental properties in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area.</p>
<h2>Figure Out What Renters Want</h2>
<p>If you want to become a landlord, one of the most important things to understand is that the business is driven by demand. In a tight real estate market, it may be easy to rent out your property even if it lacks amenities or isn’t in a great neighborhood. However, when demand goes down due to a recession or other factors, it can be incredibly difficult to keep your unit rented if potential tenants find it lacking.</p>
<p>There are certain things that most tenants prefer in a rental unit, such as having access to a washer and dryer (ideally in their own unit), one or more parking spaces, a good pet policy, and (especially in Florida!) air conditioning. Other amenities that are nice to have include a fenced-in yard, access to a pool, outdoor living space, and walk-in closets.</p>
<p>Of course, it isn’t always possible to offer all of these things. For example, if you own an apartment building, you are probably limited in the amount of outdoor space you can provide. However, it is always a good idea to consider what features are in high demand among tenants and try to offer as many of those amenities as possible.</p>
<h2>Follow State and Local Laws and Restrictions</h2>
<p>It is easy to get hyped up about the possibility of earning passive income by renting a property. In some cases, however, your excitement may be quickly dampened by the reality of Florida law and other regulations. For example, suppose you own a house that is part of a homeowner’s association (HOA). In that case, the rules you agreed to when purchasing the property may actually forbid using the home as a rental property (particularly for short-term rentals).</p>
<p>In Florida, landlords are required to <a href="https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Landlord-Tenant-Law-in-Florida">comply with the requirements of applicable building, housing, and health codes</a>. For example, in Hillsborough County, <a href="https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/residents/property-owners-and-renters/code-violations/property-maintenance-codes">property maintenance codes</a> set minimum standards for heating and sanitary conditions, prohibit nuisance conditions such as overgrowth, and require maintenance of building exteriors.</p>
<p>If you plan to rent your house as a short-term <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0500-0599/0509/Sections/0509.242.html">vacation rental</a>, you may be required to obtain a license. The question of whether a particular property counts as a vacation property depends on several factors. You should contact a real estate attorney or a <a href="/tampa-property-management">property management company</a> if you have any concerns.</p>
<p>Finally, you should review your insurance policy to make sure that the policy allows you to rent the property. Switching to a landlord policy will probably be necessary if you currently have a homeowner’s insurance policy. If your insurance company does not know that you’re renting the property, they may deny claims on this fact alone. While this type of insurance isn’t required under Florida law, your mortgage lender may require it - and property insurance is always a good idea in a state where natural disasters and extreme weather events are unfortunately common.</p>
<h2>Make Sure You Have a Well-Drafted Lease</h2>
<p>A lease can be written or oral in Florida. However, to protect your interests and ensure there aren’t misunderstandings, you should have a written lease for all rental properties. The lease should cover items such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>The amount of rent and when it is due;</li>
<li>Penalties for late payment of rent;</li>
<li>Who is liable for the rent (i.e., each individual tenant can be held responsible for the total amount if one tenant refuses to pay);</li>
<li>The length of the lease;</li>
<li>The security deposit;</li>
<li>How the property is to be used (for residential or commercial purposes only);</li>
<li>Rules and regulations regarding the unit (such as quiet hours);</li>
<li>Expectations for the tenant (such as maintaining the unit);</li>
<li>Who is responsible for paying utilities;</li>
<li>Access to the premises;</li>
<li>Rules regarding subletting; and</li>
<li>A severability clause (so that if one portion of the lease is found to be invalid, it can be severed from the lease).</li>
</ul>
<p>An experienced property management company can provide a lease agreement customized to meet your needs. You may also choose to work with a real estate lawyer to assist you with the process.</p>
<h2>Get Your Property Rent Ready</h2>
<p>One of the most important things any landlord can do before putting their property on the market is to take the time to get it in good shape. This goes beyond meeting the bare minimum code standards. Instead, you should invest in proper cleaning and maintenance to ensure the unit looks its best.</p>
<p>Depending on your property, this may include having the unit painted and the carpets or floors thoroughly cleaned. A cleaning service can do a deep cleaning to make sure that the property is as clean as possible.</p>
<p>This is also an excellent time to consider whether anything in the unit needs to be repaired or replaced. For example, if the sliding doors to the patio keep coming off the track, you may consider having them serviced, buying new doors, or replacing them with a new style. If you notice the carpet is worn and threadbare, it’s time to replace it.</p>
<p>Taking these steps ensures that your property is attractive to prospective tenants. It is also a way to set a baseline for evaluating a property before deciding to return a tenant’s security deposit. If there is more than reasonable wear and tear, then you may be able to take deductions or keep the security deposit in its entirety to cover the damages.</p>
<h2>Don’t Forget that Renting Is a Business</h2>
<p>For first-time landlords in particular, it can be difficult to remember that this is a business. This is especially true if you are renting out your own home and have an emotional attachment to it. It’s important to set reasonable expectations for yourself. Because things will break and become worn over time, the house will never look as good as when you lived there. If you want to be successful as a property investor, you have to set aside any emotion and make the best choices for your bottom line.</p>
<p>For many landlords, this may include using a property management company to streamline the process of <a href="/blog/property-management/31-tenant-screening-questions-ask-new-renters">finding suitable tenants</a>, keeping the unit in good condition, <a href="/blog/property-management/7-most-common-tenant-complaints-and-how-handle-them">handling tenant complaints</a> and repair requests, and marketing the property. Having a professional on your team can help to remind you of your goals in becoming a landlord - and will ensure that you won’t get overwhelmed by the day-to-day tasks of being a landlord.</p>
<h2>Want to Rent Your House in Florida? We Can Help.</h2>
<p>There are a lot of benefits to owning an investment property. Nevertheless, knowing exactly what to do as a landlord can be challenging, especially if you are new to the business. Eaton Realty can assist you with all aspects of being a landlord, from finding the right property to purchase to handling property maintenance.</p>
<p>Based in Lithia, Florida, our full-service real estate team works with landlords and investors throughout the Tampa Bay region. We take the time to understand your needs and goals as a landlord and help you come up with a plan to achieve your dreams. With more than 130 years of combined experience in the real estate industry, we have the knowledge to help you with every step of the process.</p>
<p>If you’d like to learn more, fill out our <a href="/contact-us">online contact form</a> or give us a call at 813-672-8022 to talk to a team member.</p>


For Rent

How to Rent Your House in Florida

<p><img alt="" src="//cms.eatonrealty.com/sites/default/files/images/article/2023/01/tenant-screening-quesions.jpg" style="width:100%;height:auto;" /></p>
<p>As a landlord, finding a good tenant can be difficult. Ideally, you’ll have more than one applicant for each vacant property. At this point, screening questions can help you narrow your choices before spending money on a background check and credit report.</p>
<p>These questions should help determine if the prospective tenant can afford the rent and whether they will comply with the lease. You can ask questions about their rental history, employment and income, and whether they have broken a lease or been evicted. However, you must steer clear of any question that could raise an inference that you are discriminating against certain people.</p>
<p>Based in Lithia, Florida, Eaton Realty is a full-service real estate company. We work with investors and landlords to help them <a href="/blog/buying-property-management-investing/buying-protecting-your-first-rental-property">find rental properties</a> and to manage their properties. Reach out today to learn more about the services that we offer for landlords, including helping you find the right tenants.</p>
<h2>Top 31 Tenant Screening Questions</h2>
<p>When you own an investment property, you want to make sure that you get good tenants: people who can pay the rent, who won’t cause problems or damage your property, and who you can trust. <a href="/blog/property-management-renting/finding-right-tenant-importance-tenant-screening">Tenant screening</a> as part of the application process is critical to getting qualified tenants.</p>
<p>As part of the process, there are specific questions that you should be asking prospective tenants. Asking these questions won’t guarantee that you get a good tenant, but it increases the likelihood of renting to someone responsible.</p>
<p>Below, we have gathered a list of 31 screening questions to ask new renters. These questions fall into several broad categories: basic information, financial situation, background and references, rental behavior, and motive for moving. By asking these questions, you can better understand who you are renting to - and whether they’ll be a good fit for your property.</p>
<h3>1) Do you currently rent?</h3>
<p>This question is mostly asked to get some background information. If this person is currently a renter, you will want to talk to their current landlord to learn more about them (i.e., whether they paid rent on time or had a history of noise disturbances).</p>
<h3>2) How long have you lived in your current home?</h3>
<p>The ideal tenant for many landlords is someone who not only pays rent and takes care of the property but who stays there long-term. If a prospective renter moves frequently, they may not be the best choice for you if your goal is to have someone in the unit for a year or longer.</p>
<h3>3) Why are you moving?</h3>
<p>People move for many different reasons, such as getting a new job, needing more space, or a <a href="/blog/property-management/florida-rent-increase-notice-what-landlords-need-know">rent increase</a>. This question can help you learn a bit more about a prospective tenant - including whether they are moving because their current landlord is evicting them.</p>
<h3>4) Does your current landlord know that you will bemoving?</h3>
<p>This question can be tricky because some tenants may have a bad situation with their landlords and may not want them to know that they plan to leave. They may also be planning to break their lease. If they have good cause to break their lease, this shouldn’t be an issue - but you should definitely check with their landlord.</p>
<h3>5) How many people will be living in the unit?</h3>
<p>Cities and towns typically have ordinances on the maximum number of people who can live in a unit. Asking this question can help ensure that you are in compliance with the laws. However, as noted below, do not ask if they have or plan to have children, as this could constitute housing discrimination.</p>
<h3>6) Do you have frequent overnight guests?</h3>
<p>Many leases contain clauses that limit how many overnight guests can stay in a unit - and how long they can stay. As a landlord, it is a good idea to know who is living in your investment property for liability reasons. You may even ask that they be placed on the lease if they plan to have someone stay there frequently.</p>
<h3>7) Do you have pets?</h3>
<p>Many rental properties have a no pets policy or breed and/or size restrictions. It is fine to make it clear to prospective tenants that you have these policies - and to ask if they have any pets currently.However, you should not ask if they have a service or emotional support animal, which may cross the line into discrimination based on disability.</p>
<h3>8) Do you plan to get a pet?</h3>
<p>Sometimes, prospective tenants don’t have any pets when they apply - but they might plan to get one in the future. As long as you steer clear of questions about assistance animals, it’s fine to ask if a renter intends to get a pet - and to make your policy on pets clear.</p>
<h3>9) Does anyone who will be living in the unit smoke?</h3>
<p>Many landlords prefer that their tenants not smoke in their units, as smoking can cause damage, create a hard-to-remove odor, and be a fire hazard. You can ask about smoking and explain your policies on smoking during the screening process.</p>
<h3>10) How many parking spaces will you require?</h3>
<p>Unless your rental property is in a rural area, chances are good that there is a limited number of parking spaces. Asking this question can reduce the likelihood that you’ll face problems with parking wars between tenants in the future. It may also reveal that your prospective tenant intends to have someone else stay there frequently if they need three parking spots but state that only two adults will be living in the unit.</p>
<h3>11) What is your desired move-in date?</h3>
<p>This question can help you decide between several prospective tenants. Most landlords prefer to get someone into the unit sooner rather than later to reduce carrying costs. The answer to this question may also reveal that the person is about to be evicted or is breaking their lease.</p>
<h3>12) Are you currently employed?</h3>
<p>Let’s face it: anyone who leases from you needs to be able to pay the rent. Of course, a person can pay rent without being employed if they have retirement income, a housing voucher, or another funding source. It’s a good idea to ask this fundamental question to better understand how your tenant plans to pay rent.</p>
<h3>13) What type of work do you do?</h3>
<p>This question can be worded in a few different ways to determine if the prospective renter has a stable job and the type of hours they work. This second part is more important in multi-family units. If a prospective tenant works a night shift and you have neighboring tenants with small children who make a lot of noise during the day, it may be a recipe for disaster to rent to someone who needs to sleep during the day.</p>
<h3>14) What is your monthly income?</h3>
<p>Most landlords require a minimum monthly income of 3 times their rent. While you may have a looser or stricter standard, you should have criteria that you apply across the board. Asking this question first can help to weed out tenants who simply can’t afford to rent from you.</p>
<h3>15) Can you explain any employment gaps?</h3>
<p>This question concerns job stability and a tenant’s ability to pay rent consistently over their lease term. With the understanding that sometimes a person loses their job due to no fault of their own, you should think carefully about renting to someone with a patchy employment history or who seems to be out of work more often than not.</p>
<h3>16) Have you ever been evicted?</h3>
<p>This simple question gets to the heart of a fundamental issue: will this tenant be a good renter? If they have been evicted for nonpayment of rent, violating lease terms, or another problem, you want to know beforehand.</p>
<h3>17) Have you ever broken a lease?</h3>
<p>There are many good reasons a person might break their lease, such as moving for their job. However, it’s still helpful information because you don’t necessarily want to rent to a tenant who may not have any qualms about breaking a lease.</p>
<h3>18) Have you ever been late with paying rent?</h3>
<p>This is a straightforward question that can be answered with a yes or no. Of course, things happen and there may be a good reason why a tenant has been late with rent. The most important thing here is that the prospective renter is honest. If you find out during a follow-up reference or background check that they lied, it may be a red flag.</p>
<h3>19) Can I contact your current landlord?</h3>
<p>If the prospective renter is currently renting, you should talk to their landlord to get a better sense of how they are as a tenant. If they refuse to give you the landlord’s name or state that you can’t talk to them, you may want to reconsider renting to them - unless there is a good reason (like fear of retaliation) for doing so.</p>
<h3>20) Can you provide references from current or former landlords?</h3>
<p>This question is simple. If your prospective tenant is unwilling to give you the names of former landlords, it may be because they were less-than-ideal renters.</p>
<h3>21) Will you agree to a background check?</h3>
<p>Background checks are a standard part of a rental application. If a tenant is uncomfortable with you doing a background check, it should be a red flag.</p>
<h3>22) Are there any issues I should know about before running a background check?</h3>
<p>Life can be complicated, and something might pop up on a background check that your tenant can explain. Asking this question can help you determine if your tenant is truthful (i.e., did they lie and say they have never been convicted of a crime when they have a record?). It may also allow you to avoid doing a background check if they tell you about a conviction that would disqualify them from renting from you (such as something that landed them on the sex offender registry).</p>
<h3>23) Can I run a credit check?</h3>
<p>As with a background check, a credit report is a standard part of most rental applications. If a tenant is uncomfortable with you running a report, you may be wary of renting to them.</p>
<h3>24) Are there any issues I should know about before I run a credit check?</h3>
<p>This question is mostly designed to weed out tenants who lie to you about facts that you can easily verify. In addition, if the prospective renter tells you something that would be disqualifying (such as having numerous lawsuits against them for nonpayment of rent), you won’t have to waste your time or money doing a credit report.</p>
<h3>25) Have you filed for bankruptcy recently?</h3>
<p>Bankruptcies can be verified through a credit check, as they stay on your credit history for 7 to 10 years. As a landlord, you are primarily asking this question to see if the tenant is honest. There are many reasons a person may file for bankruptcy that does not indicate financial irresponsibility, such as medical debt. It may still be a factor in your ultimate decision, particularly if they lied about bankruptcy.</p>
<h3>26) Are you willing to sign a 1-year lease?</h3>
<p>Most landlords want tenants who will be around for the long term. Asking your tenants about their preferred lease term can give you an indication of whether they fit the bill.</p>
<h3>27) Will you be able to pay the first month’s rent plus the security deposit when you sign the lease?</h3>
<p>Requiring the first month’s rent plus a security deposit is standard for residential leases. If a tenant cannot pay this amount, it may be a sign that they aren’t financially stable. Of course, there could be a good reason why they can’t put together the amount - for instance, they may be going through a divorce. These are factors that should be considered when deciding on rental applications.</p>
<h3>28) Can you pay the application fee to cover the background and credit check?</h3>
<p>Most landlords charge an application fee to cover the background check and credit report cost. If they cannot cover the fee (typically minimal), it may be a sign that they won’t be able to pay the rent.</p>
<h3>29) Can you pay rent in a specific way (online, via check, etc.)?</h3>
<p>Many landlords have a preferred way for tenants to pay the rent. If you have a preference, ask prospective tenants upfront if they’re OK with that method.</p>
<h3>30) Have you been convicted of a crime that may affect your ability to be a safe tenant?</h3>
<p>People make mistakes, and that shouldn’t necessarily disqualify them from renting from you. That being said, certain criminal convictions may indicate that a prospective tenant would threaten your property or the community - such as manufacturing or distribution of drugs, arson, or a sexual assault offense. Make sure you ask all tenants this question if you plan to ask it; otherwise, it could be viewed as discriminatory if you only ask some tenants this question. Similarly, you should be aware that federal law prohibits discrimination against people who previously used drugs but are currently in treatment or recovery.</p>
<h3>31) Do you have any questions for me?</h3>
<p>Most of the questions you have asked thus far are about finding tenants that are a good match for you on paper. This open-ended question is a bit different, and you may learn a lot about a tenant based on how they answer it.</p>
<p>For example, suppose a prospective tenant asks a lot of questions about when quiet hours are or whether any of the other tenants have kids. In that case, it may be a warning sign that they’ll be problem tenants who regularly complain about others making even reasonable levels of noise. Listen carefully and think about how their questions may indicate what kind of tenant they will be.</p>
<h2>Tenant Screening Questions to Avoid</h2>
<p>There are certain questions that you should never ask prospective tenants. These types of questions aren’t just bad form - they may be illegal under the federal <a href="https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview">Fair Housing Act</a> or <a href="https://fchr.myflorida.com/fair-housing">Florida’s Fair Housing Act</a>.</p>
<p>The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of housing based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status, or national origin. Florida’s law similarly prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, familial status, or religion.</p>
<p>Questions that are designed to find out information about a person’s status in one or more of these categories should never be asked. For example, you should not ask prospective tenants:</p>
<ul>
<li>Where they were born (may indicate potential national origin or race discrimination);</li>
<li>Whether they have a service animal or <a href="/blog/property-management/do-landlords-have-accept-emotional-support-animals">emotional support animal</a> (may be designed to learn if someone has a disability);</li>
<li>How many kids they have, if they’re pregnant, or plan to be pregnant (while you can ask how many people will live in the unit, you should be careful not to discriminate against a prospective tenant based on familial status);</li>
<li>Whether a couple is engaged, married, or planning to get married (potential familial status discrimination);</li>
<li>What their gender identity or sexual orientation is (which could be a form of sex discrimination);</li>
<li>What their race or nationality is (which could be considered discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin);</li>
<li>Whether they go to church (this may indicate that you are making rental decisions based on the candidate’s religion); or</li>
<li>If they have a disability (potential disability discrimination).</li>
</ul>
<p>These questions - and others - could lead to lawsuits and steep penalties from state or federal government agencies. Essentially, asking questions about someone’s membership in a protected class may raise the implication that you are discriminating against a class of people. Landlords should never ask screening questions related to a person’s race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, or national origin.</p>
<h2>Streamline Tenant Screening with Eaton Realty</h2>
<p>Finding the right tenant can be an arduous process. If you’re lucky enough to have multiple applicants for a rental property, using screening questions can help you find qualified candidates. A skilled property manager can make the process even easier, helping you find great tenants for your investment properties.</p>
<p>Eaton Realty offers <a href="/tampa-property-management">property management services</a> throughout Hillsborough County, Florida. We help landlords with every aspect of running their rental properties, from handling maintenance requests to screening tenants. If you’d like to learn more, fill out our <a href="/contact-us">online contact form</a> or give us a call at 813-672-8022 to talk to a team member.</p>


Tenant Screening Questions

31 Tenant Screening Questions to Ask New Renters

<p><img alt="" src="//cms.eatonrealty.com/sites/default/files/images/article/2023/01/eaton-realty-20-years.jpg" style="width:100%;height:auto;" /></p>
<p>In 2023, Eaton Realty is excited to celebrate its 20th anniversary. We have grown a lot over the past two decades and are incredibly excited to share our anniversary with you. Take a trip down memory lane with us and learn more about how Eaton has grown to become one of <a href="/blog/community-news/best-real-estate-company-tampa-bay-2021">Tampa’s Best Real Estate companies</a> in the last 20 years.</p>
<h2>Eaton Realty’s Early Beginnings</h2>
<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gw3R13U6BBI" style="display:block;margin:auto;" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Our story starts with Craig Eaton, who graduated from <a href="https://www.kent.edu/">Kent State University</a> with a degree in business and finance in 1970. Shortly after graduating, Craig started his real estate career as a branch manager and collections officer in Ohio. Bitten by the real estate bug, Craig bought his first investment property in 1973 for $22,500. The following year, he opened his first business: the Eaton Construction Company, which built single and multi-family homes in a master-planned community.</p>
<p>Over the years, Craig learned a lot about the real estate business from a variety of different angles. He obtained his real estate license so that he could sell the homes that he was remodeling and building. In 2003, he decided to take on a new challenge and opened his own real estate company: Eaton Realty.</p>
<p>This family-owned business had humble beginnings, with Craig working out of the dining room of his house in Riverview. Craig’s son, Shawn, joined the company full-time in 2004, and they continued to work hard to build a successful business from their own home. When the family moved to <a href="https://www.fishhawkranchcdd.org/">FishHawk Ranch</a>, the operations changed slightly - to the bonus room! Ultimately, Eaton Realty moved to an office in FishHawk Ranch’s park square before finishing construction on their current building in 2016. Always the contractor and project manager, Craig designed the building and oversaw its construction.</p>
<h2>Eaton Realty Today</h2>
<p><img alt="" src="//cms.eatonrealty.com/sites/default/files/images/article/2023/01/292551205_440755964725266_2934544223743780682_n.jpg" style="width:100%;height:auto;" /></p>
<p>Today, Eaton Realty has grown into a large, dynamic real estate company with a staff of 28 realtors, brokers, property specialists, and sales and transaction coordinators. Our company offers a full slate of real estate services, from representing clients in the <a href="/buy">purchase</a> and <a href="/sell">sale</a> of residential and commercial properties to helping clients find the perfect home or commercial space to <a href="/rent">rent</a> to <a href="/tampa-property-management">managing property</a> on behalf of investors/landlords.</p>
<p>Since Craig entered the real estate industry in 1970, he has experienced all of the highs and lows that the market brings, from inflation and soaring interest rates to housing crunches to construction booms and busts. His unique experience in all aspects of real estate gives him the ability to guide clients through whatever unexpected circumstances may arise. His team - which now includes his son-in-law Daniel in addition to his son Shawn - is equally well-equipped to help clients with their real estate needs.</p>
<p>Although Eaton Realty has grown and evolved over the past 20 years, we have remained true to our core principles: trust, loyalty, honesty, and a willingness to serve the interests of others. As a family-owned business, we have maintained close connections to the FishHawk Ranch community and the broader Hillsborough County region.</p>
<p>Our commitment to the area led us to take on a new challenge: to be as environmentally friendly as possible so that we can preserve the natural wonders of the Tampa Bay area for future generations. We installed a 39kWp rooftop solar power system on our office building that offsets 100% of our electricity usage. We have taken other steps, such as using electronic document signatures to eliminate excessive printing, switching to hand dryers in restrooms, and prioritizing recycling.</p>
<h2>Thank You For Continuing To Choose Eaton Realty</h2>
<p>As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we recognize how fortunate we have been to work in such a dynamic, supportive community and to have such incredible staff. We truly appreciate each and every one of our clients and community partners. We thank you for your loyalty to Eaton Realty and look forward to serving you for the next 20 years - and beyond.</p>
<p>As always, we remain available to help with all real estate transactions. Our realtors can assist you in <a href="/buy">buying a home</a>, <a href="/sell">selling a home</a>, <a href="/rent">renting a home</a>, or <a href="/tampa-property-management">managing your rental property</a>. You can speak with a member of our team by calling 813-672-8022 or by filling out an <a href="/contact-us">online contact form</a>.</p>


Eaton Realty Office

Eaton Realty Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary 

<p><img alt="" src="//cms.eatonrealty.com/sites/default/files/images/article/2023/01/tenant-complaints.jpg" style="width:100%;height:auto;" /></p>
<p>Being a landlord can be a great way to earn passive income. That being said, dealing with empty rental units, tenant complaints, and other issues can be challenging. You may quickly learn that you must take a hands-on approach - or hire a <a href="/tampa-property-management">property management company</a> - to make money as a landlord.</p>
<p>Tenant complaints can be particularly vexing, as they may arise at any time - and may even result in your tenant <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0000-0099/0083/Sections/0083.201.html">withholding rent</a> or taking legal action. The best way to deal with common tenant complaints - like maintenance issues or pest problems - is by taking a proactive approach. When you anticipate issues that may arise, you can keep your tenants happy and avoid headaches.</p>
<p>Eaton Realty is a full-service real estate company working throughout Hillsborough County, Florida. We offer a full range of real estate services, including assistance with <a href="/blog/buying-property-management-investing/buying-protecting-your-first-rental-property">purchasing an investment property</a> and property management. If you’d like to know more, give us a call to talk to a member of our team.</p>
<h2>Maintenance Issues</h2>
<p>Even new properties can have maintenance issues. An <a href="/blog/property-management/who-responsible-appliances-rental-property">appliance might break</a>, a faucet might be leaky, or lights might be out in the common areas. In these situations, tenants will ask you to make repairs.</p>
<p>Most tenants understand that things happen and may also accept that you may not be able to get a repair person out to fix something immediately. They will typically get frustrated and may even withhold rent if you ignore their request or refuse to correct the problem.</p>
<p>The easiest way to handle this type of complaint is to have a clear-cut system for submitting maintenance requests and responding promptly. If you own many rental properties, this may mean setting up a portal for tenants to submit requests online. Otherwise, you can create a process - such as texting or emailing you - for issues that may arise. Having a system in place can help to avoid problems like maintenance requests are lost or are not acknowledged.</p>
<p>It is also important to communicate clearly with your tenants to set expectations. For example, supply chain issues may mean that an air conditioning unit can only get fixed once a part arrives in a few weeks. Be sure to talk to your tenants so that they know what is happening.</p>
<p>A property management company can handle maintenance requests for you, which may reduce the potential for unhappy tenants. They typically have contacts with repair workers throughout the region who can respond properly to requests. They also tend to have a system in place for processing maintenance requests so that nothing is overlooked.</p>
<h2>Lack of Privacy</h2>
<p>In Florida, landlords generally have the right to enter a rental property to inspect it, perform repairs, or show the unit to prospective buyers or tenants. However, landlords must provide <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0000-0099/0083/Sections/0083.53.html">reasonable notice</a> - of at least 24 hours - to the tenant unless there is an emergency. They must also enter at a reasonable time, between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.</p>
<p>Many tenants dislike this and feel their landlords should not have the right to enter the unit at will. This typically only becomes a problem when tenants believe their landlord is abusing their right to enter the premises. They may think that the landlord is only doing this to harass or annoy them - even if the landlord provided notice and gave the reason for entering.</p>
<p>The best way to avoid this becoming an issue is to limit entries to when it is truly necessary. You should also provide ample notice to the tenant in writing. You should also communicate your intentions to the tenant at the outset of the lease: that you may enter the property to conduct repairs, to inspect it, or in other limited situations.</p>
<h2>Poor Communication</h2>
<p>In landlord-tenant situations - as in life - many problems are caused by a lack of communication. Tenants may quickly become frustrated by a landlord who doesn’t communicate their expectations to them clearly. They also may get angry at landlords who fail to respond promptly to their communications.</p>
<p>While there is such a thing as over-communication, landlords should err on the side of communicating more than they think is necessary. This can be by phone, mail, email, or text. For example, if your rental units have outdoor space, you could send a seasonal reminder of what work they need to perform outside. Similarly, if you plan to work on the building, you should advise your tenants beforehand of what is happening.</p>
<p>A property management company can help you handle communications with tenants, including responding to complaints and maintenance requests. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing that your tenants are getting the information they need.</p>
<h2>Failure to Return Full Security Deposit</h2>
<p>In Florida, landlords have the right to withhold all or part of a security deposit for things like unpaid rent or property damage. Tenants may respond poorly when they are expecting a much larger check than they receive.</p>
<p>While you often cannot avoid taking money out of a tenant’s security deposit, you should set expectations about what condition you expect the unit to be in when they vacate the premises. A move-out checklist is a great way to do this so that the tenants can go through the list and do everything you ask of them. If you deduct money from their security deposit, explain exactly what you are withholding and why, such as $150 for repainting the bathroom because the tenants chose to paint the room without permission.</p>
<h2>Noisy Neighbors</h2>
<p>Most people have dealt with a noisy neighbor at some point. Renters dealing with loud parties or revving engines late at night might complain to their landlord about the issue.</p>
<p>As a landlord, there may not be much you can do about noise levels if the disturbance is coming from someone who doesn’t rent from you. However, you can still encourage the tenant to resolve the issue peacefully by approaching the neighbor. If that doesn’t work, you can try talking to the neighbor or property owner yourself.</p>
<p>If the noisy neighbor rents from you, however, you have a greater responsibility to resolve the issue. After getting a complaint, investigate the problem by talking to other tenants or even checking out the property whenever the noise usually occurs. If you confirm that it is a problem - and not just a case of one tenant being overly sensitive - then you can issue a noise complaint to the problematic tenant. If they refuse to improve, you may have grounds to evict them.</p>
<h2>Pest Problems</h2>
<p>In Florida, pests are a year-round problem, and the potential for an infestation is high without cold winters to kill off bugs. If your tenants are being besieged by insects, rodents, or other pests, they will rightfully be upset.</p>
<p>The best course of action here is to be proactive. You should schedule regular pest treatments to reduce the likelihood of an infestation. If one occurs, however, you should take prompt action. Call an exterminator to come to treat the issue, and ask them to come back a second time to make sure that the infestation is gone.</p>
<h2>Difficult Rental Application</h2>
<p>Many prospective tenants find multi-page rental applications - complete with fees - to be overwhelming. They may need help understanding why they have to pay you to apply to live in an apartment or why you need all of this information.</p>
<p>Again, the best way to handle this is to communicate. Explain the purpose of the fees (to cover the cost of a background check) and why you are asking for this information. You may also explain why <a href="/blog/property-management-renting/finding-right-tenant-importance-tenant-screening">screening tenants</a> is so important - after all, your prospective tenants probably don’t want to live next door to someone who hasn’t gone through a screening process to ensure they are safe.</p>
<h2>How Eaton Realty Can Help</h2>
<p>Being a landlord can be a tough job, especially when it seems like your tenants are full of complaints and unreasonable demands. While it may not prevent all problems, clearly communicating your expectations to your tenants and responding promptly can help you avoid many issues. A property management company can handle these communications and any problems that arise on your behalf.</p>
<p>Based in Lithia, Eaton Realty helps investors throughout the greater Tampa Bay region manage their rental properties. For each client, our goal is to make being a landlord as profitable and stress-free as possible. We can help you with all aspects of investing, from finding and purchasing a rental property to screening for tenants to handling maintenance requests and ongoing maintenance.</p>
<p>If you’d like to learn more, fill out our <a href="/contact-us">online contact form</a> or give us a call at&nbsp;813-672-8022 to talk to a team member.</p>


Blog Articles

Questions? Speak With A Real Estate Expert

Services We Offer

ARTICLES BY CATEGORY

FEATURED ARTICLES