Help! I hate my tenants!
I have a 3 family in PS with tenants on the top 2 floors. New tenants just rented the top apartment and I already don’t like them. First sign was their security deposit check bounced -although they quickly gave me another check from a different account. They made a big stink about having their cable…
I have a 3 family in PS with tenants on the top 2 floors. New tenants just rented the top apartment and I already don’t like them. First sign was their security deposit check bounced -although they quickly gave me another check from a different account. They made a big stink about having their cable installed – I needed to be around to let the guy into the back and they scheduled it at a time that was inconvenient for me – after I had told them I wouldn’t be avail;able during that time. And now it’s September 2nd and I don’t have the rent check from them (should have gotten it yesterday). I clearly misjudged these people and should never have rented to them (credit was prefectly good, came from a reputable broker). Mostly needed to just vent – on the other hand…any good ideas for getting rid of them?
At the time this question was posted, the rent was only 24 hours late. This seems pretty minor to me (as both a former renter and a current landlord), especially since it was the day before a holiday weekend. As far as the bounced deposit check, you admit that they quickly covered it — sometimes people make mistakes. And if you weren’t available when they made the cable appointment, you should have just told them to reschedule. I think it’s too soon to declare them worthy of eviction.
If labor day weekend is an excuse for late rent payment for these tenants, I predict you may encounter more serious issues ahead!
it’s labor day weekend… that might be the reason it’s late.
You have got to get the rent on the first, you have to make your life comfortable, you have to set the rules. Now is the time to lay down the the boundaries. Get into a good pattern now and things will settle down. You have to honor your lease, but some landlords file papers for non receipt of rent on the 2nd of the month. What you really need to do is to calmly explain that getting the rent on time is something that you need to happen every month. Most people get it — you just have to calmly and consistently insist. Set a pattern up front for mutual respect. Also, if the time for cable is inconvenient for you, why are you being available? Don’t be; ask them to reschedule for when you can do it.
I agree. Always trust your gut, even if do a good background check.
Thanks all! I left a message for them today and haven’t heard back. I guess I’ll start next month with a rent envelope. Crazy though – this is only their second month in the apartment – I’d think they’d want to make a slightly better impression. This obviously isn’t a money making operation – if they don’t pay their rent i still have to come up with the $$$ for the mortgage. I had a creepy feeling about them when they came to sign the lease – I should have trusted my instincts then and backed out.
I agree with the above posters, however, I remember my days as a tenant. I would consider myself a good tenant, took care of the apartment, gave the landlord adequate notice before moving out, etc. but it was so easy to ‘forget’ the rent check, until the first time, I received a letter with a request for the late fee which was something like 1.5 % of the monthly rent. You can bet, I felt terrible and after that never forgot to pay on time. The landlord also put in an envelope at the end of the month under my door and that helped a lot.
So I think that the landlord just has to be firm, and not put up with BS, however unintentional just because tenants don’t think from the perspective of the landlord (he/she has mortgages, bills to pay). Thinking back, my frame of mind was that it wouldn’t matter so much, the landlord has plenty of $ and can afford to wait.
You might want to leave them a rent envelope each month as a gentle reminder that it’s time to pay up. It’s no fun to have to ask for the rent.
You are not alone I live in Crown heights. My tenants check just bounced and they gave it to us 5 days late. What can I do I never gave them a lease.