One common risk of owning a long-term rental property in Orlando and Central Florida is tenant-caused damage to your rental property.
Landlords and rental owners often have this fear at the back of their minds. Based on our years of professional property management experience in the greater Orlando market, we frequently see this occurring with self-managing rental owners.
Tenant-caused damage happens, and how you respond will determine how much you’re able to recover and how well you protect your investment. In this guide, we’ll walk through the exact steps to take if your tenant damages your rental property.
Is It Damage or Normal Wear and Tear?
The first step is to determine if the damage is considered normal wear and tear or actual tenant-caused damage to your Orlando rental property.
- What is normal wear and tear in the State of Florida? In Florida, normal wear and tear‘s defined as the natural deterioration that occurs from everyday living in a property, such as faded paint, minor scuffs, worn flooring or carpet in high-traffic areas, loose door handles, etc.
- Tenant-caused damage is defined as neglect or misuse during tenancy and includes items such as broken windows/blinds, large holes in walls, pet stains, unauthorized paint colors or poor repainting, trash/debris left behind, etc.
This distinction is essential because the State of Florida has specific laws about what can and cannot be charged against the tenant’s security deposit.
Inspect & Document Your Orlando Rental Property
Once you’ve identified and determined what is normal wear and tear versus damage to your rental property, make sure to inspect and document it thoroughly.
Conduct a clearly documented move-out inspection from top to bottom of your Orlando rental property. This should be cross-referenced from any other inspection you’ve conducted, such as your “move-in inspection,” which is highly recommended that you do often and throughout the tenancy.
You’ll also want to document detailed notes and repair invoices for all the damage. This documentation serves as your evidence, allowing you to make justifiable deductions from the security deposit. Without documentation, it’s your word against theirs.
Tenant Communication is KEY in Central Florida
After inspecting and documenting your Orlando rental property, communicate with your tenant. Keep your communication professional and clearly outline the damages they caused. Sometimes, damage may have been accidental or already reported, so having the conversation professionally helps you avoid unnecessary conflict while maintaining your position.
Technology has made communication and property management easier, but building genuine connections with your tenants remains essential. Orlando property managers and rental owners should maintain a personable approach and form authentic relationships with their renters; this will ultimately benefit them when damage does occur to their property.
Follow Florida Security Deposit Laws
One of the most common mistakes we see landlords and rental owners in Orlando make is mishandling the security deposit. You must be well-versed in and knowledgeable about all relevant state and local laws and regulations.
According to Florida Statutes, in accordance with section 83.505 “Landlords must provide you written notice in person, by mail, or by e-mail within 30 days after you move out, of your intent to impose a claim against the deposit.” If you miss the deadline or fail to provide proper notice, you may lose the right to withhold any portion of the security deposit.
Avoid Rental Property Damage Altogether
While dealing with tenant-caused damage is challenging, prevention is the most effective solution. You can reduce the risks of owning a rental property in Orlando & Central Florida by:
- Conducting thorough tenant screening with credit, background, employment verification, and rental history checks.
- Performing routine rental inspections to catch issues early.
- Use an attorney-prepared, professional lease agreement that clearly outlines tenant responsibilities.
- Hire a professional Orlando property management company and avoid this issue altogether.
Orlando Property Managers Summary
Discovering tenant-caused damage can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to negatively impact your rental investment experience. By accurately identifying damage, thoroughly documenting everything, adhering to the law, and implementing preventive strategies, you can recover costs and protect your investment for the long term.
Here at The Listing Real Estate Management, we’re Orlando’s boutique property management firm, providing a successful rental experience. If you’re tired of dealing with tenant-caused damage to your rental property in the Orlando and Central Florida area, contact us (we can safeguard your rental property like no other property manager can). Cheers!
