How to deal with ignorant tenants?
Member since 2023 · 48 posts · 14 votes
How to deal with ignorant tenants?
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Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
1y@Ryan Brown, I appreciate that you admit that was a vent. Its normal to feel some frustration when dealing with annoyances like that.
I always remind myself that it isn't personal and that I chose to sign up for exactly this kind of work (managing difficult tenants).
I personally don't care if people are rude or have an attitude or even if they complain. If the complaint is legit, I deal with it. If it isn't I'll explain why. If they continue, I will ignore it.
I'm not sure why you have an issue with "needed documents". I mean after screening a tenant, the only documents I usually deal with them about are signing lease addendums or new leases which are either done electronically or in person.
With regard to loud music (noise) that is a common issue. I would have a conversation and let them know they will receive a written lease violation letter as a follow-up to the conversation. I will further explain that if the behavior is repeated they could be evicted for it. That usually ends the issue.
To me, these kinds of things might annoy me but only VERY VERY temporarily perhaps for minutes at a time when things occur.
If tenants controlled themselves and behaved as they should most would probably be OWNERS not renters. So, this really is a large portion of the tenant population whether its issues like this or others.
7 Replies
- Realtor · Hanover Twp, PA · Member since 2018 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes1y
@Ryan Brown, I appreciate that you admit that was a vent. Its normal to feel some frustration when dealing with annoyances like that.
I always remind myself that it isn't personal and that I chose to sign up for exactly this kind of work (managing difficult tenants).
I personally don't care if people are rude or have an attitude or even if they complain. If the complaint is legit, I deal with it. If it isn't I'll explain why. If they continue, I will ignore it.
I'm not sure why you have an issue with "needed documents". I mean after screening a tenant, the only documents I usually deal with them about are signing lease addendums or new leases which are either done electronically or in person.
With regard to loud music (noise) that is a common issue. I would have a conversation and let them know they will receive a written lease violation letter as a follow-up to the conversation. I will further explain that if the behavior is repeated they could be evicted for it. That usually ends the issue.
To me, these kinds of things might annoy me but only VERY VERY temporarily perhaps for minutes at a time when things occur.
If tenants controlled themselves and behaved as they should most would probably be OWNERS not renters. So, this really is a large portion of the tenant population whether its issues like this or others.
- Member since 2023 · 48 posts · 14 votes1yHey Kevin,
Quote from @Kevin Sobilo:
@Ryan Brown, I appreciate that you admit that was a vent. Its normal to feel some frustration when dealing with annoyances like that.
I always remind myself that it isn't personal and that I chose to sign up for exactly this kind of work (managing difficult tenants).
I personally don't care if people are rude or have an attitude or even if they complain. If the complaint is legit, I deal with it. If it isn't I'll explain why. If they continue, I will ignore it.
I'm not sure why you have an issue with "needed documents". I mean after screening a tenant, the only documents I usually deal with them about are signing lease addendums or new leases which are either done electronically or in person.
With regard to loud music (noise) that is a common issue. I would have a conversation and let them know they will receive a written lease violation letter as a follow-up to the conversation. I will further explain that if the behavior is repeated they could be evicted for it. That usually ends the issue.
To me, these kinds of things might annoy me but only VERY VERY temporarily perhaps for minutes at a time when things occur.
If tenants controlled themselves and behaved as they should most would probably be OWNERS not renters. So, this really is a large portion of the tenant population whether its issues like this or others.
Thanks for your response. I’m glad to hear that this is part of being a landlord and I shouldn’t take it personal, especially if it’s bot an everyday thing. It just takes me for a loop that some humans can be this irresponsible but ai digress. In terms of documentation, it’s just requesting the signed lease renewal. This specific tenant is in a program so the longer they take to send me the document, the chances of issues coming about is higher. Thanks for your insight again! - Real Estate Broker · New York, NY · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes1y
Real Estate is the business of interactions with people.
You will see the best of folks, you will see the worst of others. You're dealing with your "bad apple" that will forever help you curate your search criteria whenever you place future tenants.
- Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes1y
1. They aren't ignorant. An ignorant person lacks knowledge or awareness. Your tenant is a a-whole, which is something entirely different.
2. Decide what is important and what is not. Vulgarity, rudeness, attitude, and complaints are not actionable violations. Some people will rub you the wrong way. Learn to ignore them or separate yourself from them.
3. Stop sending "constant reminders" to get paperwork. Send a document once and ensure it includes a deadline for their response and a consequence for failing to respond. For example, I will send a tenant the lease renewal options and give them one week to respond. If they don't, the document says their consequence is that they will automatically convert to a month-to-month rental on [DATE] with a 25% increase to their rent. There's no need for me to keep asking for a response because their lack of responsiveness hurts them and rewards me.
You aren't going to like every tenant, and should count your blessings that two of them are really good. Wait until it's close to the end of his lease (know what the law requires) and then give him notice that you will not renew. Move him out, try again.
The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews - Property Manager · Portland, OR · Member since 2023 · 40 posts · 20 votes1y
Quote from @Ryan Brown:
This may come off as a rant but allow me to vent. How do you deal with ignorant, entitled tenants? As of now, I have a total of 3 units and 2 of them are occupied by the sweetest individuals. No, they don’t give me chocolates and roses but they reply to my text messages, phone calls, respectful and send me any documentation thats needed with ease. And now there’s the 3rd tenant from hell. This tenant is rude, vulgar, always has an attitude, complains about everything, have to constantly remind them to send me needed documents, blasting music all night to the point where cops were called on them by outside neighbors. I literally had to have a conversation with them explaining why they can’t blast music 2am/3am in the morning. Mind you, this person is damn near 50 years old so they should know better!
Sorry for the long post but how do you deal with this ignorant, entitled, selfish behavior? Do you meditate, go to therapy, gym? I would like to know…thank you.
I don't deal, I don't tolerate it. One bad tenant can lose you several good ones if not dealt with.
My leases are written in common language. I read through them and ensure understanding with many tenants before signing. (I work with some challenging populations and the extra effort has paid off in these situations.)
The first time they break rules (unless it is a direct danger to people/property) I have a kind chat with them and make sure they understand what they did was against the rules. Then I *might* issue a warning letter; if they were respectful the first time. Then document , document, document, violate, and evict.
If their rudeness etc causes me to not be able to do my job (they yell at refuse to let me in when I've posted notice), then that's a violation for interfering with management duties, on top of the violations for disturbing their neighbors, housekeeping violations, failures to report maintenance, etc..
While dealing with all sorts of people, and dealing with lease violators, are all part of owning/managing properties, YOU set the tone for how you will be treated and how your tenants are expected to behave.
- Member since 2022 · 35 posts · 16 votes1y
It depends on management style I guess. If a tenant is being rude just to me, I don't care that much. I don't know what's going on in their lives, and usually if someone is punching up at a landlord or their representative it's because of something in their lives that they're really stressed out about. And as long as they're current and not breaking rules in the lease, they can say rude things to me.
But blasting loud music etc sounds past that. If they're doing anything another tenant would complain about I send them a written warning and the minute another tenant complains is when I'll double check to see if I can file eviction for that specific thing and give the tenant three days to knock it off.
In general, if I personally don't like something, it's less of a cause for concern than if a good tenant doesn't like it. Always stick your neck out for the good tenants and replace the bad ones as soon as you can.
- 1yNed J.Pro MemberInvestor · Manteca, CA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
As Nathan stated.... you have solid policies and protocols in place and you follow them. Its not personal, its business.
When it comes to rude and abusive tenants, I'll deal with them on a professional level during their tenancy, but when it comes to renew, BYE BYE. I don't need that in my life. I got thick skin and can handle just about anything without it bothering me, but I dont want you to be ANYWHERE in the circle of my life. You can go and I'll find someone else. Dont care if you are making me $$.... I can find someone else to do the same thing without being an a-hole.
PLUS can you guess what they will be like when a real issue comes up? No thanks
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