Life as a Lancaster property owner is full of ups and downs, the challenges are exciting, some of it though is not pleasant. Case in point: overly demanding renters. While tenant complaints have to be handled professionally and efficiently, a renter who makes unreasonable requests and voice complaints all the time can be exhausting. If these complaints are related to health problems, then your tenant may be a hypochondriac or someone who suffers from illness anxiety.
A person with hypochondria is someone who experiences obsessive and negative thoughts about their own health. They are notoriously meticulous with everything related to health, they like to read and dig up information on the latest health-related topics. They see their surroundings as a cause for concern, citing it as threatening or hazardous to their health. Many of their excessive or unreasonable complaints may stem from these behaviors and fears.
Dealing with a hypochondriac is tricky; because they are known to have a hard time managing their own compulsions, they may always seek reassurance from you, which often takes the form of a complaint. They may constantly ask you to check things for them, trying to use you as some sort of coping mechanism for their anxieties.
Some of the best things any property owner can learn to have when dealing with a tenant who suffers from illness anxiety is to first, make sure that the home is properly maintained, next make sure to set (and follow consistently) firm guidelines about the time, the place and the manner they can communicate with you. To manage repair requests and other complaints, it’s a good idea to require your renter to do so in writing. This helps by creating a paper trail of each complaint (and your response) in the event of a dispute and may even cut down on the frequency of their requests.
Though challenging, it’s necessary that you stay courteous and professional and to bear in mind that you are not compelled to come rushing every time your tenant beckons. As long as you are confident that the Lancaster rental property is being regularly and properly maintained, it’s best to briefly reassure the renter that you will deal with the situation, but depending on what it is, that you will probably address it at a later date. You may also need to remind the tenant about any relevant lease terms, terms that should spell out which responsibilities belong to the renter and which belong to the property owner to bypass misunderstanding or false expectations.
Handling difficult tenant relations can be one of the least pleasant parts of a landlord’s job. Why not let the professional property managers at Real Property Management Traditions handle it for you? We will ensure that your property is regularly maintained to help alleviate any concerns. We will also manage tenant complaints, clarify and set lease terms, and handle communication between you and your renters in a professional and timely manner. By doing so, we’ll leave you free to focus on other things. Would you like to learn more about how we can assist you? Please contact us online or call us at 661-266-1400 for more information.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
