Should You Send a Warning Notice in Case of a Problematic Tenant?

Notifying the tenant in writing to stop the destructive activities can be effective. Even if your oral warning or attempts at negotiation don’t work out, people tend to take written notices a bit more seriously. Your letter should include:

• Details of the problem behavior, including dates and times of the occurrence;

• What exactly you want the tenant to do (such as stop having noisy parties, pay for damage to the rental unit, or get rid of a long-term guest);

• The specific lease or rental agreement provision that forbids this behavior, such as a clause demanding tenants to get the damaged property repaired, or a lease limit on guests; and

• The consequences for the tenant’s failure to comply (such as termination or eviction proceedings).