As a landlord, one of your biggest concerns is likely to be finding and retaining good tenants. While there are many responsible and reliable renters out there, there are also some tenants who can be a nightmare to deal with. Here are ten types of terrible tenants and how you can avoid them:

1. The chronic late-payer. This tenant is always behind on their rent, leaving you to chase after them for payment. To avoid this type of tenant, be sure to thoroughly screen potential renters and check their credit and rental history.

2. The party animal. This tenant loves to throw loud and wild parties, causing disturbances for you and your other tenants. To avoid this type of tenant, include a strict noise policy in your lease agreement and make it clear that any violations will not be tolerated.

3. The freeloader. This tenant is always looking for ways to get out of paying for utilities or other expenses. To avoid this type of tenant, include a clause in your lease agreement that clearly outlines which utilities and expenses the tenant is responsible for paying.

4. The neglectful tenant. This tenant doesn't take care of the property, leaving it dirty and unkempt. To avoid this type of tenant, include a clause in your lease agreement that outlines the tenant's responsibilities for maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of the property.

5. The destructive tenant. This tenant causes damage to the property, whether intentionally or unintentionally. To avoid this type of tenant, conduct a thorough move-in inspection and document the condition of the property.

6. The sneaky tenant. This tenant sublets the property without your knowledge or permission, leading to unexpected headaches for you. To avoid this type of tenant, include a clause in your lease agreement that prohibits subletting without your permission.

7. The scam artist. This tenant tries to scam you out of money by claiming that they didn't cause the damage to the property or that they paid the rent when they didn't. To avoid this type of tenant, conduct thorough background checks and document all interactions with the tenant.

8. The uncooperative tenant. This tenant refuses to comply with the terms of the lease agreement, causing friction and disputes. To avoid this type of tenant, carefully review the lease agreement with the tenant and make sure that they understand their obligations.

9. The squatting tenant. This tenant refuses to move out after the lease agreement has ended, forcing you to go through the eviction process. To avoid this type of tenant, be sure to carefully document the end date of the lease agreement and give the tenant plenty of notice before the lease expires.

10. The litigation-happy tenant. This tenant is always looking for ways to sue you, whether for real or imagined grievances. To avoid this type of tenant, be sure to follow all applicable laws and regulations, and consult with a lawyer if you have any legal questions.

By being proactive and taking steps to avoid these types of terrible tenants, you can protect yourself and your property and ensure that your rental experience is as smooth and successful as possible.

Here at HomeRoom — we understand that terrible tenants kill rental returns and we have years of experience at vetting the perfect tenants for your property.

Go to Livehomeroom.com/invest to learn more!