Landlord-Tenant Communication: When Your Tenant Stops Responding

There are many reasons you may need to reach a tenant: past due rent, routine maintenance or inspection, or an eviction notice. Rental relationships depend on good landlord-tenant communication. Given modern life’s hectic pace, their response may be slow. However, it’s a problem if you don’t hear from them after multiple attempts. 

Try to be understanding initially. There are possibilities why your tenant isn’t answering, including:

  • Travel (vacation or work)
  • Illness or hospitalization 
  • Family issue
  • Working multiple jobs  

Still, sometimes you need a response. 

If you can’t get one, what should you do? There are some steps you can take to lay the groundwork for good communication. Furthermore, there are steps you can take if tenants don’t respond.

Set Landlord-Tenant Communication Expectations in the Lease  

A preventative step in landlord-tenant communication problems is setting the expectations in the lease and escalating actions for non-response. For example, if you leave a message, be clear you expect a response within 48 hours. 

While cell and work numbers are common to collect at the lease signing, ask for email too and preferred method of communication. With today’s technology, there are lots of options, including:

Younger people may especially prefer non-traditional communication channels, so it benefits you to be reasonably accommodating. 

Optional Landlord-Tenant Communication 

Consider having a list of required and optional communication. For example, the following should be required: 

Other communication, such as rent reminders or community events, should be optional. 

Giving tenants the option of filtering out some communications reinforces that when you do communicate, it’s essential. 

Be Responsive

You expect responsiveness, and so do your tenants. If tenants can’t reach you easily and get a timely response, they’ll be disinclined to be responsive. When setting expectations for tenants’ response time at the lease signing, let them know what to expect from you. Clear landlord-tenant communication expectations will benefit all parties.

Be reasonable about communication expectations. Giving yourself 48 to 72 hours or a week of response time while expecting their responses within 24 hours isn’t fair and doesn’t encourage communication. 

Be Prompt with Maintenance Requests

Is maintenance response time related to tenant responsiveness? Yes, there’s a connection. Responsive, reliable landlords engender trust, which helps build positive relations with tenants. When they know you respond quickly, tenants are more likely to respond promptly too. 

Rent Payment Services Options

Technology has given landlords many tools, including rent payment services, which can reduce late payments. Some rent payment services offer automatic payment deductions and send rent reminders

Not all tenants want to use a rent payment service; some do. Millennials particularly prefer convenient technological options. Consider offering an incentive for those who sign up. 

Options for Non-Responsive Tenants

You’ve taken all of the steps you can to lay the groundwork for healthy communications, but you still have problems with a tenant. What now?

Send a Letter

If other attempts aren’t effective, send a written notice (retain a copy, along with the date you sent it). 

In the letter, note the issue, its importance, and that you’ve tried several times to communicate. Be specific, cordial, and clear. Also, mention what your next steps will be if they don’t respond.  

If there’s no response within a week to 10 days, send another letter. Use a service that offers mail tracking, so delivery is recorded. 

Document Your Attempts

It is important to document all of your communication attempts when you feel you are dealing with non-responsive tenants. Keep a clear, detailed log of phone calls, emails, texts, letters, etc., exactly when you tried, and the result. 

If you are forced to evict tenants, you may end up in court. If so, courts require ample documentation that you tried your best to reach the tenant multiple times. 

Should I Enter?

Only in an emergency! It may be tempting to enter the premises for maintenance or to confront a tenant, but it’s not prudent. If it isn’t an emergency, entering isn’t a good idea. If home, your tenant may be aggressive, or you could open yourself to lawsuits.

If you are worried about the health or safety of your client, ask the police to conduct a wellness check. 

Know the Law

Know the law regarding late rent, communication attempts, entry without permission, and evictions. 

Follow the steps precisely, including public eviction notification. Many organizations can give you advice and even carry out an eviction if it comes to that. 

SIGN-UP FOR PAYRENT

Start collecting rent online in less than 5 minutes.
  • Control when and how renters pay you
  • Automatically remind tenants when rent is due
  • Accept bank transfers and credit cards
GET STARTED FOR FREE

**Blog Article Disclaimer*

This blog article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The content is intended to offer general information and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

While we strive to keep the information accurate and up-to-date, laws and regulations are subject to change, and the legal landscape may vary based on jurisdiction. Therefore, we make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information contained in this article.

Reading, accessing, or using the information provided in this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the author, and any reliance on the information is at your own risk. If you require legal advice or assistance, it is crucial to consult with a qualified attorney who can consider the specifics of your situation and provide advice accordingly.

The author and the platform disclaim any liability for any loss or damage incurred by individuals or entities as a result of the information presented in this blog. We recommend consulting a legal professional before making decisions or taking action based on the information provided in this article.

This disclaimer is subject to change without notice, and it is the responsibility of the reader to review and understand the disclaimer before relying on the information contained in the blog article.

PayRent is on a mission to build a rent collection app that fosters a positive and productive relationship between renters and landlords. We focus less on transactions and more on the people behind them.

pay

Subscribe to Our
Email Newsletter

Receive timely and relevant articles directly to your email inbox.
SUBSCRIBE
You can unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy
close-link

SIGN-UP FOR PAYRENT

Start collecting rent online in less than 5 minutes.
  • Control when and how renters pay you
  • Automatically remind tenants when rent is due
  • Accept bank transfers and credit cards
GET STARTED FOR FREE
close-link

Discover the Truth About UFOs

Top secret documents reveal ET encounters the government has been hiding
freshmarketer CTA
SUBMIT
close-link

Donate Today

To the Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good
LEARN MORE
close-link

Protect Yourself From Robots

Smart seniors get their robot insurance from Old Glory Insurance
freshsales CTA
SUBMIT
close-link

Interested in PayRent?

Get a custom price quote when you schedule a demo.
*We won't share your information outside of our company
REQUEST A DEMO
close-link

Protect Your Evictions

PayRent gives landlords the control to block
all or partial payments from their renters.
LEARN MORE
close-link

Protect Your Privacy

PayRent allows landlords to accept payments without
ever sharing their personal information with tenants.
LEARN MORE
close-link

Automatic Rent Reporting

PayRent reports rent payments to
all 3 credit bureaus at no extra cost.
SIGN-UP FOR FREE
close-link

Track Renter’s Insurance

Require Insurance and Track Documents with PayRent
LEARN MORE
close-link

Accept Credit Cards

PayRent makes it easy for Landlords to accept
Bank Transfers and Credit Cards.
SIGN-UP FOR FREE
close-link

Save Time With PayRent

Automate invoices, payments, receipts, late charges
and credit reporting with PayRent
LEARN MORE
close-link

Find This Useful?
Share it!

Like and Follow Us on Your Favorite Social Platforms
close-link
0 Shares
Share
Share
Tweet