Solving Tenant and Landlord Disputes Easily

When you are renting a property from a landlord, or when you are leasing your property to a tenant, it is important to have a professional relationship.

On paper, this sounds quite simple: Signing a contract together should create black and white guidelines for you both to follow. However, there can be times when you disagree on things in the contract or about issues that have not been specified in the contract. In these times, it's important to act carefully. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about landlord and tenant disputes.

Can I settle a dispute out of court?

The ideal situation would be that the two parties can meet in a neutral setting and solve the issue in a calm and mature manner. However, this will not always be possible. This does not mean that the case will need to go to court, however. You could involve a third-party mediator.

A third-party mediator was not successful. What happens next?

If you have exhausted all out-of-court options, then you should consider going to small claims court. This is a type of court that solves smaller types of issues such as disputes regarding a small amount of money, including unpaid rent.

How can I avoid disputes like these in the future?

A sound lease contract is usually the best way to prevent disputes from occurring in the future. You should also make sure that all communication is in writing.

If you wish to solve a dispute relating to renting a property, it is important to gather all documentation and take action when you feel necessary so that you can resolve the landlord-tenant dispute as quickly as possible.