Things I Hated Hearing From My Tenants
Written by The Landlord on 12 Oct 2007Every landlord has a list of things they dread hearing from their tenants; the list usually consists of requests from tenants that are completely inappropriate or require effort from the landlord to execute (we’re a lazy breed). Here’s a few lines i’ve heard from my tenants that I didn’t (and still don’t) want to hear:
Late Payment
The old classic, and what EVERY landlord hates to hear:
sorry landlord, it’s been a tough month, payment will be late this month
That’s so annoying because there is absolutely nothing a landlord can do besides from say, “err ok”
I’ve heard that line from a few different tenants before; every time it just irks me a little bit more than the previous.
Broken Shit
Hi, the [insert object] is broken, can you please get someone to fix it
Granted, it’s not been the tenant’s fault (so far), but it’s still hassle for any landlord to arrange things to get mended. Take it from me, landlords hate it when things break.
You’re charing too much
I was hoping you could reduce rent this year since I’ve been a good tenant
When a tenant of mine dropped that line on me I was a little stunned. I felt like saying, “Lady, my mortgage is going UP, not down. If anything, I should increase rent to keep up with the cost of living. You’re lucky I don’t double your rent after your crafty little request”
Unfortunately, I just got a little quiet and whimpered, “sorry, the rent is barely covering my mortgage payments as it is, I can’t reduce it”
Unarranged new tenant
3 months into the tenancy contract, my tenant says:
my dog has been living with my ex husband, but he says he can’t look after her anymore. So if she can’t move in with me into your house, I’m moving out
Can you believe that? I would have let her stupid dog move in regardless, it’s just the threat that caught me off guard.
I’ve met the dog since, and she’s pretty damn cool.
Family emergency
My mum’s really ill so I haven’t been able to work, so rent will be late this month. My mum is ill. She’s really ill. My mum is ill
(Ok, Ok, SHUT UP!)I know I mentioned late payments in a previous point, but this point has a slightly different angle. It’s the whole “have sympathy, my mother is ill” approach that annoyed me. If the payment is going to be late, just say so; don’t tell me about your ill mother.
During the conversation I was thinking, “your mother’s health has nothing to do with me; rent is still due, and there isn’t a clause in the contract that says you’re entitled to an extension if you’re experiencing family problems”
It amazes me that tenant’s try and bring in their personal problems when it comes to paying rent. I don’t think they realise what kind of situation they’re putting their landlord in…and how the landlord doesn’t care about personal problems. Moreover, I frown upon emotional blackmail. We still have to pay our mortgage regardless of your mum’s health, so cough it up.
If you’re a landlord, is there anything you’ve heard from your tenant(s) that has annoyed you, or made you think, “say again…” and left you a bit…well, dazed.
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2 Comments - join the conversation...
If you were a landlord, i'm sure you would also hate hearing those words. Right? Because those words generally correlate with extra costs and time.
I accept my responsibilities, and I attend my tenants' problems immediately.
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I initially started this website because I wanted to document my every step from property idiot to property landlord,
in hope that people would find my site and help me along the way. I literally didn't have a clue about being a landlord
when I started this website.
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