10 Things Tenants Should Never Do

1. Fail to report repairs - If something breaks or stops working in the home, the tenant should report it as soon as possible to the property manager. If it is related to water, it should be reported immediately. Often times delay or failure to report the incident will exacerbate the issue and could cost the tenant an untimely expense.

2. Allow an unauthorized person to move in after lease started - This could cause the tenant to be evicted. Anyone 18 years and older who will be living in the property must submit an application for full tenant screening, regardless of whether or not they think it will affect their chances of being approved for the property. This is a lease provision that will be enforced.

3. Fail to communicate when having difficulty paying the rent on time - Silence is not an option here. If a tenant for some reason believes that they will not be able to pay the rent on time, they should never avoid discussing this with the property manager. Rather, they should communicate as soon as possible about the matter. While the property manager and the owner may not welcome the bad news, it at least gives all parties the opportunity to plan, prepare and make arrangements accordingly. The sooner this is reported the better. The tenant’s adherence to this and payment history will be taken in to account regarding future renewal opportunities.

4. Fail to give proper notice to vacate the premises - A tenant should always gives proper notice, in writing, according to their lease terms when they are vacating the property at the end of their lease. Failure to do so could cost the tenant unexpected expenses which could complicate their move to their new residence.

5. Make unauthorized repairs/alterations to the property without permission - A tenant should always get permission from the property manager when making any repairs, changes, or improvements to the property. Failure to do so could result in them having to restore the property back to its original condition or leaving a newly installed fixture in place in the property at the end of their lease. In either case, it would present an untimely and unexpected expense to the tenant.

6. Sublease the property - Whether it’s a room or the whole house, a tenant should never attempt to rent out any portion of the property in which they and they only were approved for. This is a lease provision and grounds for an eviction.

7. Change the locks without permission - A tenant should never change the locks on the property without permission from the property manager. Not only is it a lease violation, if for some reason the property manager or anyone else should ever have to gain entry for lockout or in the case of emergency, the delay in gaining entry could mean the difference between life and death. The property manager should always have a key to the property.

8. Deny access to the property - The lease states that the property manager or any of its affiliates with proper notice and sufficient reason may enter the property to make repairs or show to prospective new tenants the home during the final 60 days of the tenants lease. Failure to permit entry without sufficient cause or reason may result in a negative assessment of any rental verification sent to the property manager when the tenant seeks to apply for new housing.

9. Neglect to change the a/c/furnace filter - The lease states that one of the tenant’s responsibilities is to change the filter in the a/c once a month or on a regular basis. When the tenant fails to do this, it can result in the unit becoming clogged up which leads to a water leak emergency. This also means that the a/c unit must remain off for days or even weeks until the problem is fixed. The tenant may be responsible for all damages related to the water leak. It is better to pay $10 for a filter every month than to receive a bill of $1000-$10,000 for a repair that could have been prevented.

10. Fail to pay the last month’s rent - When a tenant is approved to rent one of PPM’S properties, they are required to pay their first month’s rent and a security deposit. The security deposit is strictly for assessments, damages, and unpaid fees after the tenant has moved out. If there is none of the aforementioned, the tenant will get that security deposit back in full. The tenant must always pay their last month’s rent which fulfills their lease term. If the tenant fails to pay the last month, it will be noted on their rent verification form if one is received and they may be liable for fees in excess of what is being held.