If you own an investment property in the D.C. area, you may have heard of, been concerned about, or dealt with a hoarding renter directly. When it comes to the landlord-tenant relationship, these situations can quickly seem to spiral out of control and kill your hopes for a great experience with your D.C. rentals.
As a residential property owner, you may even be kicking yourself, thinking that if you could have just made a more thorough effort with your tenant screening process, you'd never have to experience this dilemma of rental property ownership.
So-called 'hoarders' are a protected disability class and are generally known as renters who feel connected to their possessions to the point of difficulty. As a professional Washington D.C. property management company, we have unfortunately seen this behavior in action, even if it is thankfully rare.
Despite the consequences of hoarding on the cleanliness and safety of single-family and multi-family housing, property owners often have difficulty knowing how to navigate the legal landscape of addressing hoarding behaviors. Those affected are protected under the Fair Housing Act and, by extension, the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Property owners and property managers have to balance the needs of their renters with the potential damage to the property. However, the situation is not completely without hope. Learning what signs to look out for and what your next actionable steps are can help protect your rental property.
Please note: This post is not a substitute for proper legal counsel and contains current information at the time of its publishing. When in doubt, it's best to reach out to the professionals at EJF Real Estate Services or obtain guidance from a skilled attorney.
Not every resident who collects items is necessarily exhibiting signs of hoarding. It is best to begin your investigation based on the consequences of clutter for the property and solve issues that are clear lease violations first:
Some of these issues are easily spotted when you're visiting your property to perform preventative maintenance or carry out a routine inspection. If you're working with a professional property management group, they're just as (if not more) likely to spot the beginnings of these problems and take action on your behalf.
Another advantage of working with property management in Washington D.C. for your rowhomes, condos, or detached dwellings is that they can help you address these situations from the start with an airtight lease agreement.
Our team works directly with renters and property owners on a daily basis, so we understand the complexities of what lease agreements in the D.C. area need to protect your investment property. Before you diagnose your screening process, be sure to look at your lease to ensure it has no gaps that could be misconstrued by your residents.
Some clear rules in the lease and early conversations about your expectations as a property owner can help protect you as well, especially when your renters have the ability to change their behaviors. These conversations and requirements might include:
Talking these elements over while discussing the lease allows you to see if the potential renter has a problem with your rules.
Remember that it is acceptable for them to have and keep more stuff than you would want to keep in the rental. The concerns come from damage to the property or danger to themselves or others. When in doubt, it's best to defer to high-quality property management services to handle the creation of your lease agreement and your screening process.
If you're a solo property owner with no assistance from the expert property management D.C. offers, you can still take steps to protect yourself and your properties.
When you need professional insight, expertise, and property management services to address a hoarding resident, turn to EJF Real Estate Services. We are the expert in property management D.C. investors need to address hoarding behaviors in your rental property properly!
When you're feeling overwhelmed by the behaviors of your residents, it's likely they're feeling just as overwhelmed with the same scenario. Allow us to be your professional buffer, and get in touch with us for assistance immediately.