Problem Tenants

[dwb]

I`d like to hear about any problem tenants you or others you know may be experiencing - you know the ones... & what you`ve done or are planning to do to rectify the situation.

I think it would be a good learning experience so others know what to look out for.

I`ll share my current experience:

Tenants won`t provide post-dated cheques but insist on me picking the cheques up at the house (the house is way out of the way). That`s not the issue though. I don`t mind picking up rent, its when I get there. Once there, before handing a cheque, out comes another very large (very large & much stronger than me!) bullying person with raging complaints about how they want this or that... oh, & these demands for cosmetic improvements of course are to be on the landlord`s bill! Subsequently, written threats of the tenants moving-out unless these cosmetic improvements are completed by a certain date ensue, blah... blah.. blah...

These same tenants were over-the-moon excited about moving in when they did their walk-in inspection, but now they suddenly want this or that - new flooring, light fixtures, landscaping etc...

I used to find it somewhat humerous, actually no, I found it downright hilarious. But now just gets incredibly annoying - I get at least 3 calls a month for "emergency stuff that needs to be done" on the property. However, I find when I drive over there that these "emergencies" are severely over-exaggerated. Because when I get there, everything is just fine.... except the very large person suddenly materializes out of nowhere once again & with the list of cosmetic requests the tenants want provided to them comes out.

I should mention that the house is clean, well run & safe... as are all my properties.

Speaking of my other properties, I just realized I haven`t heard a peep from anyone else of the more than 25 doors I manage elsewhere all year. I don`t usually hear from anyone until they are ready to move out. Most tenants that I sign for 1 year leases have stayed for at least 2 or 3 years - they are all amazing tenants paying market rent on time. This particular place, however, is my only problem property.

Another thing about this place is there`s never just the two people on the signed lease agreement that I have at the property when I get there or when I drive by... instead, to my chagrin, its not uncommon to find four or five people clamouring at the place, using my hydro & free washing machine/dryer etc... need less to say, the wear & tear on the property is horrific as a result.. The repairs & maintenance costs are adding up big-time.

Anyways, I`m sticking to all rules in the lease when I deal with them. And we are finally reaching an agreement in writing to have the deadbeat tenants move out. Quite frankly, these cosmetic improvement demands have become preposterous in my eyes. Alternatively, in their perspective they don`t like that they can`t push me over & that I refuse to succumb to their demands, so we`re effectively agreeing to end the original agreement.

That`s my experience. Get post-dated cheques or EFTs or something to keep at arms length when receiving your rent...
This way you`ll avoid my current frusterating experience.

What are your experiences?

Thanks!

 

[Donal_Ward_McCarthy]

Thanks Dwb,

what did the previous lanlord say to you, and the one before that?

just curious.

My experiences have generally been very good, except for when I took the short cuts and rented to people where my gut said no.

Donal.

 

[dwb]

QUOTE (Donal_Ward_McCarthy @ Dec 15 2007, 04:51 PM) Thanks Dwb,

what did the previous lanlord say to you, and the one before that?

just curious.

My experiences have generally been very good, except for when I took the short cuts and rented to people where my gut said no.

Donal.

Thanks for the reply. The other 25 happy tenants I screened & I always screen thoroughly (that`s the only protection we have as landlords as the tenants are nearly 100% protected by the housing tribunal once in there).

As for this particular tenant, they came with the property.

I had inherited them when I purchased the property. That was before I read Don`s book and wasn`t aware of the steps he recommends when tenants are already in place in the property you purchase.

 

[Dan_Eisenhauer]

What does your lease say about the method of paying rent? The onus is on the tenant to pay in a timely manner, and does not require you to go pick up THE TENANTS` cheques.

We often train others how to treat us. By your agreeing to pick up the cheque, you are telling them it is ok for them to treat you that way. Stop doing that.

Does your lease have a penalty for late payment? If yes, enforce it. If not, tell them getting the cheque to you on time is their responsibility. They can do it by mail or personal delivery or any other method they chose, as long as you receive on the due date. BUT stop cowtowing to them. Remind them that if they are late with rent, they are in default.

Treat them with dignity and respect, but on terms that satisfy you as well. Be firm but fair.

 

[MikeMcCrae]

What we do with those kind of tenatnts is get rid of them. 3 months notice and then you can get in tenants that you like. I think life is too short to have to deal with people you don`t like. They would be happier some where else and so would you. Rent is to get paid weather there are repairs required or not. NOTHING interferes with the payment of rent. Most of our tenatnts do not pay with post dated checks, but they deliver to me on the first and if they are late they are given a 14 day notice on the 2nd even if they promise rent on the 3rd. And always a late penalty if even 1 day late. Be very firm and very business like and it is easier in the long run.

 

[bb2]

QUOTE (MikeMcCrae @ Jan 21 2008, 02:30 PM) What we do with those kind of tenatnts is get rid of them. 3 months notice and then you can get in tenants that you like. I think life is too short to have to deal with people you don`t like. They would be happier some where else and so would you. Rent is to get paid weather there are repairs required or not. NOTHING interferes with the payment of rent. Most of our tenatnts do not pay with post dated checks, but they deliver to me on the first and if they are late they are given a 14 day notice on the 2nd even if they promise rent on the 3rd. And always a late penalty if even 1 day late. Be very firm and very business like and it is easier in the long run.


I totally agree with Mike - give them 3 months notice and start fresh. You do not need to deal with these kind of people when there are so many other GOOD ones around.
In my early days of managing my properties I put up with way too much. Now I realize my time is far too valuable and I will not let these kind of issues drag on and on. Now I give notice immediately when rent is not paid on time (and it must be delivered to me). When tenants are being unreasonable, not following the rules and generally being difficult you must do what it takes to get rid of them!

Brenda Bastell