Common Tenant Complaints and How to Handle Them

December 11, 2024

If you own an investment property and you have tenants, it is inevitable that you will, at some point, have to deal with complaints from your tenants. It is best to be prepared for this eventuality so that you know what the most common tenant complaints are, and how to handle them.


Dealing with tenant complaints quickly and efficiently will give you a good reputation as a landlord and keep your tenants happy so that they have no qualms about renewing their leases. This is essential if you want to maximize the returns on your property investments.

Here are three of the common complaints tenants have, and how best to deal with them.


1. Pests

New ParaPests, bug, and rodent infestations need to be dealt with promptly. A complaint from a tenant about a pest infestation must be taken seriously as it affects the habitability of your investment property which, in turn, affects the profitability of your investment. 


  • DO call an exterminator immediately.
  • DON’T lay the blame on your tenant’s hygiene, even if it is the cause.
  • CONSIDER having annual inspections to pre-empt any problems with pests. 


2. Maintenance Issues

New ParagraphYou will definitely get requests from tenants to deal with maintenance issues. Some will be emergencies, and some not. All should be dealt with as promptly and efficiently as possible in order to prevent your tenant from withholding rent and ensure that they are happy and renew their lease without a problem.


  • DO put everything in writing. Even if your tenant calls you with a problem you should commit the problem and the solution to writing using text messages or email so that you have a written record of all complaints.
  • DON’T minimize the severity of the maintenance issue. It may be a big problem to your tenant even if it isn’t to you.
  • CONSIDER including a maintenance reporting policy in your lease in order to ensure that there is clarity and minimal opportunity for misunderstandings between you and your tenant to arise. 


3. Noise Disturbance

New ParagraphThis tenant complaint is often the most difficult to address because it involves emotions and tolerance levels and you can’t just call someone up to fix the problem. Dealing with a noise complaint about your tenant is easy enough to deal with, you simply need to address the issue with them and, should they persist, threaten to terminate their lease. Dealing with a complaint your tenant has about neighbors can be a little more challenging because, essentially, it is not your problem. 


  • DO encourage tenants to take up noise complaints with the neighbors themselves or to call the police if they have no joy.
  • DON’T be judgmental if the complaint is about your tenants. 
  • CONSIDER mitigating noise levels by improving the insulation of your investment property by making sure windows and doors seal properly or by putting down carpets. This is essential if the noise is from an uncontrollable source like traffic.


It is often extremely worthwhile to appoint a property manager who can deal with tenant complaints, amongst other things, for you. A property manager like Suite Properties, will take care of everything from financial reporting to marketing the property, screening applicants, collecting rent, and dealing with tenant complaints. 


Suite Properties takes all the hassle out of an investment property. The specialize in managing urban residential properties and will protect your investment by providing outstanding service to both you and to your tenants.

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