Being a landlord can be a rewarding way to build wealth—but it also comes with its own learning curve. From dealing with tenants to managing maintenance, it’s easy to make a few costly missteps along the way.
If you’re new to rental property ownership (or even if you’ve been at it a while), here are the top mistakes landlords make—and how you can avoid them to protect your time, money, and sanity.
1. Not Screening Tenants Properly
Letting the wrong tenant move in can lead to unpaid rent, property damage, and legal headaches. Skipping the background and credit checks to “fill it fast” often backfires.
Avoid it: Use a thorough screening process, including background checks, credit reports, employment verification, and landlord references. Trust your gut and the data.
2. Skipping a Written Lease Agreement
Verbal agreements won’t protect you in court. A vague or missing lease can leave you vulnerable to disputes over rent, repairs, or move-out expectations.
Avoid it: Always use a detailed, state-compliant lease agreement. Spell out the rules, rent terms, security deposit, maintenance responsibilities, and penalties.
3. Delaying Maintenance Requests
Putting off repairs to save money might seem harmless—until a small leak becomes major water damage or a tenant stops paying due to habitability issues.
Avoid it: Respond to maintenance requests quickly. Build an emergency repair fund and have reliable contractors on call.
4. Violating Fair Housing Laws
Many landlords make unintentional violations by advertising “ideal tenants” or asking the wrong questions during screening.
Avoid it: Brush up on the Fair Housing Act. Avoid discrimination based on race, religion, family status, disability, etc. Use neutral language in listings.
5. Underpricing or Overpricing the Rental
Charging too little leaves money on the table. Charging too much leads to vacancies or unqualified tenants willing to pay just anything.
Avoid it: Do your market research. Compare similar rentals in the area, factor in amenities, and adjust with demand.
6. Managing Everything Yourself (Without a Plan)
Trying to do everything solo—especially without systems in place—can lead to burnout or critical tasks falling through the cracks.
Avoid it: Consider working with a property manager or using rental management software. Even if you DIY, build workflows for screening, rent collection, and maintenance.
Final Thoughts
Landlording isn’t just about collecting rent—it’s about running a business. Avoiding these common pitfalls can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. Whether you manage one property or several, a proactive and professional approach makes all the difference.
Need help listing your rental or streamlining your landlord strategy? I’m just a message away and happy to help.
