Prank Against our Tenants (harmless prank and great tenants)

[Sherilynn]

We have a property boasting grand European styling, complete with lion statues on the front pillars. Some friends of the tenants "stole" one of the lions and posted the following ad on kijiji:



"This decorative stone Lion is a must have
for any home. This piece will go especially well in your yard if you
already have one lion and would like another. With a custom paint job,
it's fierce red eyes and mouth makes one believe it's actually a real
white lion. This adds considerable value as it is sure to keep away any
unwanted house guests. The lion is also extremely heavy (perhaps the
inside is made of gold...or diamond...or concrete) so you don't have to
worry about anyone taking it; someone would have to be extremely ripped
just to be able to lift it off its post, let alone steal it in front of
your eyes...while you are standing at the door.



This lion has
been in our family for many days now, so we are not willing to part with
it for cheap. However, if you have a serious offer please do not
hesitate to call,email, text, facebook, bring us cookies to propose an
offer...For example, 12 cents would not be considered a serious offer
and would be an insult to our family and especially the lion.



If
this lion is so great, you are probably wondering why we are not
keeping it for ourselves. Unfortunately, in our area of residence, lions
of this sort are not allowed in the outdoors as they scare of the
children. We have kept the lion indoors but we feel the lion has started
to become domesticated. Inside is no place for a lion; therefore, we
feel it is in the best interest of the lion to send it back into the
wild, where it protect the streets and the home of its master. If you
have read this far, you are the rightful fit to be the master of this
lion. Make an offer now. You won't regret it"



Any ideas as to what I should offer in exchange for the lion?

 

[jeffjas]

This isn't a prank against the tenants it's a theft of your property and I would treat as such. If you know for sure who did this then I would file a police report right away. I'd also inform the tenants that if the statue is not returned then these "friends" are no longer allowed on the property and I would amend the lease as such so that if they are found to be there again then the tenant would be in violation.......that's the way I would handle it.

 

[Sherilynn]

Hmmm, I guess the fun in the ad was only clear to me.



The girls have been A+ tenants for 2 years and they sent me a copy of the ad because they thought I would find it amusing, which I did. They also said that if I wanted to have the lion returned immediately, they would ensure that it was.



Instead, I responded to the ad by offering 12 cents for them to take the matching lion too.

 

[Alvaro Sanchez]

Nice way to tell the landlord that they don't like the lions...

 

[Sherilynn]

Am I the only person (besides my husband) that sees the humour in this?



The tenants have not damaged my property (obviously the lion was already detached) and the lion will be returned. And it was worthless and ugly to start with. In fact, if I had known one was detached, I would have ripped off the other one years ago.



I think the whole thing is hilarious.

 

[terri]

I think it's funny, but what's best about it, is it made your tenants laugh and they felt comfortable sharing that with you, respected you enough to ask if you wanted it returned immediately, but ultimately trusted that you would see the humour and get a chuckle yourself. It shows that you have a good relationship with your tenants and you are happy and confident enough with yourself and your business to enjoy the humour and not respond in a negative way. I saw some fantastic "griffins" recently if you are looking to replace the lion with something else. Would love to see the tenant's reaction to that.

 

[Sherilynn]

Thanks, Terri. That's the way I saw it too.

 

[housingrental]

Phone the cops on them

Then after cops arrest and return lions to you let your tenants know called the police and give the lions back to the tenants

This is what I would do

It should make for awkward future conversations with your tenants

Let us know it how it goes

 

[Sherilynn]

[quote user=housingrental]Phone the cops on them

Then after cops arrest and return lions to you let your tenants know called the police and give the lions back to the tenants

This is what I would do

It should make for awkward future conversations with your tenants

Let us know it how it goes







Perhaps I should just file for eviction with the RTDRS on the grounds of Grand Theft Feline.

 

[ChrisDavies]

I'd offer to pay them in McDonald's cheeseburgers. I'm not sure on the burger-to-lion exchange rate though.

 

[Sherilynn]

[quote user=ChrisDavies]I'd offer to pay them in McDonald's cheeseburgers. I'm not sure on the burger-to-lion exchange rate though.




Good call. Last I checked it was 3:1.

 

[TerryKruse]

Is that 12 cents plus delivery? The lion might not come quietly...



I think it was funny.



Cheers, Terry