Need a place to vent about my cheap tenants

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Need a place to vent about my cheap tenants

Wendy Jiang
Member since 2021 · 29 posts · 12 votes

It's Friday afternoon and I need a place to vent...since I am preggo and can't drink wine now. 

My husband and I took over a duplex last year, with one unit occupied by a couple who had lived there for 16 years. Their rent is extremely low, at least $1,000/month below the market. The previous owner gave us some credit to keep the tenants for another year. 

Their lease will end on May 31. On Feb 12, all of a sudden, they told me they would move out in March. To be honest, I was relieved that I wouldn't have to go through the eviction route. And since they didn't make any trouble since we took over the property, my husband and I decided not to ask them to pay for any penalty for terminating the lease two months earlier than scheduled (even though the lease said so). We are also planning on returning 100% of their security deposit. 

However...

They started to inform me they would take the washer and dryer away because they bought them...and every time I got in touch with them, they would inform me of items they would take away because they bought them. Basically, they are taking away everything they can remove from the wall, including the gas range, fridge, vanity mirror, chandelier, washer, dryer, etc......

I know I could easily stop this, because they were there during the closing walkthrough and they didn't mention any of these items. I decided to let it go. Most of these items are very old and I would have replaced them anyway. 

I just want to hold a glass of wine and laugh about this. Since I can't, I am sharing the story here. I am glad they will be gone in a few days and I will be making the extra $1,000 every month. Happy Friday. 




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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
4y

Just remember how happy you'll be when they're gone, the property is updated, and you place good tenants that pay market rates. An extra $12,000 your first year will make up for every appliance and then some!

The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
WebsiteView Page
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  • Mike Davis
    Lender · Annapolis, MD · Member since 2022 · 154 posts · 70 votes
    4y

    @Wendy Jiang sometimes it's best when you talk it out with yourself!! You found the bright side to this scenario by doing that!

    2Reply
  • Karla Simmons
    Vacaville, CA · Member since 2019 · 218 posts · 140 votes
    4y

    @Wendy Jiang

    I say good riddance to them! Like you said, you’ll be getting the higher rent soon after they leave.

    2Reply
  • Colton Loretz
    Attorney · Reno NV, United States · Member since 2021 · 10 posts · 5 votes
    4y

    They saved you the hassle of getting rid of old appliances is one to look at it. Ha.  Probably not much value there that you lost in the scheme of things even if they weren't entitled to take them (and likely sell them). A couple hundred bucks on FB marketplace maybe? Depending on how nice they were. Sounds like not a massive issue if all appliances are cheap. You could add some cap x into renovations and seek higher rents. Definitely rantable though. Damages are probably rather low based on what you say. You could try to bring a claim in small claims court if you want to deal with the time / filing fee / stress of that.  Or just look at it as a gift that the tenants helped you with removal of old fixtures!  

    Glass of wine sounds good right now. My wife is pregnant so she feels your pain. I am naturally drinking less because of it. Helps save a bit of money on our budget, at least. Ha.   Hope you find some rockstar tenants next go around. 

    1Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    4y

    Just remember how happy you'll be when they're gone, the property is updated, and you place good tenants that pay market rates. An extra $12,000 your first year will make up for every appliance and then some!

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    2Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y

    @Wendy Jiang

    Goodbye and good riddance, as long as you're not paying for an eviction and cleanout.

    2Reply
  • Wendy Jiang
    OP
    Member since 2021 · 29 posts · 12 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Colton Loretz:

    They saved you the hassle of getting rid of old appliances is one to look at it. Ha.  Probably not much value there that you lost in the scheme of things even if they weren't entitled to take them (and likely sell them). A couple hundred bucks on FB marketplace maybe? Depending on how nice they were. Sounds like not a massive issue if all appliances are cheap. You could add some cap x into renovations and seek higher rents. Definitely rantable though. Damages are probably rather low based on what you say. You could try to bring a claim in small claims court if you want to deal with the time / filing fee / stress of that.  Or just look at it as a gift that the tenants helped you with removal of old fixtures!  

    Glass of wine sounds good right now. My wife is pregnant so she feels your pain. I am naturally drinking less because of it. Helps save a bit of money on our budget, at least. Ha.   Hope you find some rockstar tenants next go around. 


    Thank you! New tenants will be happy with the new appliances. Yeah, this is not worth the time and energy for filing small claims. I will just imagine I am donating them to Goodwill. 

    2Reply
  • Wendy Jiang
    OP
    Member since 2021 · 29 posts · 12 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

    Just remember how happy you'll be when they're gone, the property is updated, and you place good tenants that pay market rates. An extra $12,000 your first year will make up for every appliance and then some!


    Toast for the extra $12,000/year!

    3Reply
  • Gail K.
    Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    How nice of these tenants to save you the trouble of hauling out appliances, etc. that are probably 16 years old!

    Don't thank them or they might consider charging you for hauling these things out with them.

    2Reply
  • Scott Mac
    Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    Hi Wendy,

    It might be wise to ask for a written list of items.

    If they pull the hot water heater, or the thermostat, or the furnace, or the outside A/C Coils, or the exterior door locks you might want to (re-negotiate) with them about those items--or maybe not depending on the age re service life left in them.

    That will also let you build a punch list of buy items (re supply delivery shortages due to Covid) and maybe pre-buy them.

    Just my 2 cents.

    2Reply
  • Greg M.
    Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Wendy Jiang:

    The previous owner gave us some credit to keep the tenants for another year. [...] Their lease will end on May 31. On Feb 12, all of a sudden, they told me they would move out in March.

    "Hey, since they moved out two months early, I deserve 1/6 of that annual credit back."

       - Prior Owner

    1Reply
  • Eddie L.
    NY · Member since 2021 · 143 posts · 45 votes
    4y

    @Wendy Jiang

    Full disclosure I have no real estate experience yet, hopefully soon. Albeit I do agree with Scott on asking for a list so that everyone's on the same page. There's also the concern that they're taking one item at a time for just testing the waters. Also as they're taking bigger items like washer dryers are you concerned that they may damage the property of the movers are dragging them out. I guess that's what the security deposit is for.

    0Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y

    @Wendy Jiang A good news landlord story for once! Relax and enjoy your imaginary wine while they gut out the house for you! I sure hope you get good tenants this time around..... 

    1Reply
  • Wendy Jiang
    OP
    Member since 2021 · 29 posts · 12 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Eddie L.:

    @Wendy Jiang

    Full disclosure I have no real estate experience yet, hopefully soon. Albeit I do agree with Scott on asking for a list so that everyone's on the same page. There's also the concern that they're taking one item at a time for just testing the waters. Also as they're taking bigger items like washer dryers are you concerned that they may damage the property of the movers are dragging them out. I guess that's what the security deposit is for.


     Now I look back, they totally tested the water when they first told me they would take the chandelier away. At this point, there is honestly nothing else they can remove from the apartment...

    0Reply
  • Maria S.
    Member since 2018 · 45 posts · 48 votes
    4y

    Lol! They are saving you some hauling-away fees :)

    I am currently renovating an apartment where *everything* is hot-glued. Backsplash - hot glued, sink - hot glued to the wall (instead of caulk), sink drain pipe - hot glued, mirror - hot glued. At least it pops clean off.

    0Reply
  • Jennifer T.Pro Member
    Investor · New Orleans, LA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 944 votes
    4y

    To be fair, it's possible they bought some things.  Possibly all, though that's not likely, especially for the chandelier.  

    When I buy a property with existing tenants, I include "which appliances belong to who" in my estoppel agreement for exactly these reasons.  I don't want people taking appliances that probably belong to me, because I can't prove otherwise.  Hence, the estoppel agreement is my proof.

    Or, on the flip side of that, thinking the seller is including all the appliances when some of them actually belong to the tenants.

    0Reply
  • Linda S.
    Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Wendy Jiang,

    It's common place and standard practice, when a tenant knows they are getting a really good deal on rent, if something breaks-- they  just replace it, and don't worry about telling the landlord.   It's not right/wrong, but if they are saying they paid for it, it's likely they did.   Used appliances aren't exactly super profitable.     If you don't have pics of what it looked like when they moved in,  unless the prior landlord gives you proof they paid for it-- personally, I'd just let it go.  You'll have to upgrade it anyhow, they just made

    I'd be ecstatic they are moving out and you don't have to spend $$$ on a lawyer!  I'd use it as a reason to upgrade, and get that +$1000/month in rent!

    0Reply
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