The tenant wants to make significant changes to the property, such as painting walls a dark color or installing new fixtures, without my prior approval. I need to know how to handle these requests.

Take detailed photos and videos of all damaged areas, noting the extent and nature of the holes and stains.

Send out rent reminders a few days before the due date, reiterating the exact amount and due date.

Ensure your lease agreement explicitly states the rent due date and the grace period in clear, unambiguous language.

Engage in empathetic conversations with tenants about their financial situation and explore potential solutions like payment plans or referrals to financial assistance programs.

Re-evaluate your tenant screening process to ensure you are selecting tenants with a proven history of financial responsibility.

Apply late fees uniformly to all tenants who pay after the grace period, without exceptions.

Ensure your lease agreement clearly outlines late fees, grace periods, and the exact date rent is considered late.

Consider allowing tenants to set up partial payments or payment plans for those facing temporary financial hardship.

Offer a user-friendly online portal for rent payments, allowing for automatic payments or multiple payment methods.

Define clear boundaries for the owner's interaction with tenants, directing them to forward all tenant communications to you for management.