Tenant won't leave me alone!

Member since 2022 · 3 posts · 1 vote

Need advice!!! My new tenant texts me everyday! Sometimes it pertains to the property but many times she texts me just to chat! She sends me articles relating to the news and random things going on in her life. Sometimes she texts me late at night. Is it appropriate for me to ask her to only contract me if she has a question or an issue with the property?

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Bjorn AhlbladPro Member

Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes

Yes it is completely appropriate for you set limits.

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Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
3y
Yes it is completely appropriate for you set limits.
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Konstantin GinzburgPro Member
Member since 2021 · 376 posts · 242 votes
3y
@Erica Thorstenson
It is completely acceptable for you to set limits for your tenant and ask her to not text you if its not related to business. Getting too friendly with a tenant can have long term setbacks such as awkwardness if rent is late or you have to move forward with an eviction. It is very advisable to maintain some distance between yourself and tenants and keep the relationship strictly business.
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Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
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Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
3y
@Erica Thorstenson
Ignore the texts they will eventually stop
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Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Aloha,

I recommend never providing your personal cell phone to Tenants. Texts are useless for decent business record keeping. Use e-mail or snail mail, filing for the long term. "Office" voice mail (or second line, phone, whatever). You are running a business, present as one, with Business hours. You can always set up answering devices/services to notify you of a waiting message, but check it on YOUR time. Actual emergency calls are pretty rare, IF you have properly prepared your rental unit.
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Erica Thorstenson:

Need advice!!! My new tenant texts me everyday! Sometimes it pertains to the property but many times she texts me just to chat! She sends me articles relating to the news and random things going on in her life. Sometimes she texts me late at night. Is it appropriate for me to ask her to only contract me if she has a question or an issue with the property?

Learn to set boundaries.
I recommend two forms of communication: one for emergencies that require an immediate response (typically your cell phone) and one for ordinary communication, questions about the lease, etc. (typically email).
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Alecia LovelessPro Member
Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
@Erica Thorstenson I inherited a tenant who started out the same way. Now I only respond to her texts that are of official business that pertains to something that is currently relevant.
She was also calling and texting my contractor and even asked him out on a date. He has also stopped communicating with her except to say hello or a friendly greeting if he passes her at the property but refers all her calls to me unless there is a repair request he must deal with.
She seems to have gotten the point after 4 months.
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Aaron Shoemaker
Real Estate Agent · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2019 · 45 posts · 16 votes
3y
Yes- this is important not just to save your time and annoyance, but to put the relationship on a proper business/landlord footing!
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