Tenant is always complaining

[Alma Salazar]

Hi All,

I am new to bigger pockets and looking for help. I own a 4-complex and have been managing on my own for the last 3 yrs. I have to long term tenants (over 3 yrs). Not a lot of

issues or complains from them. About a 1 ½ month ago a new tenant move-in.

Below is a list of the issues she has:

1. She saw a dead cockroach in her bathroom (Pest control does come to the property every other month and in between if a unit needs it).

2. Toilet got clogged 2 times in a row (I had in fix the following day)

3. Kitchen hot water pressure not strong enough (had it fix and valves and pipes were)

4. Kitchen sink clogged (had it fix, plumber said a bunch of rice was clogging the pipe)

4. The room and bathroom doors fell of the hinges.

5. The tenant below is not picking up after his dog (I have address with him in writing).

6. The washer in the laundry stinks.

The list can go on and on. I am not sure if I made the mistake by telling her thank you for keeping me posted on what is going on in my complex. I feel she has become too involved in how I manage the property. She now is asking that I move out my long term tenant because he broke the lease by having a dog and not paying for a pet deposit (a conversation they both had). I never had so many calls/test/complains in a month as I have lately. I did give her the option to let her out of the lease, since it seems to me she was not happy and the unit was not meeting her expectations. She said she wanted all her move- in money deposit and cleaning fee. At this point she has said she want to remain in the unit because she is happy there and she likes me as a landlord, but she will start documenting everything and taking pictures. Any suggestion on how this should be handle?

Thanks,

Alma

[Deanna McCormick]

Give her a non-renewal notice early so she knows she's not going to be there in the future, and with that say you would give her a mutual lease release with 60 days notice prior to the 1st,if she decides to leave earlier.

Advise her that point the security deposit is refunded per your conditions sheet. I wouldn't offer any discounts or to cover any other moving costs. IF she's late on RENT you hit her with a late fee notice ASAP. 

The doors off the hinges is where I would have flipped out. I would have taken photos and given  her a bill that day for repair.

The plumbing clogs, give her written notice that this sink is not a garbage disposal, and that grease and rice, was reason the drain clogged per your plumber and future plumbing issues of this type will be charged back to her.

Same with toilet, provide her a plunger and advise excess of toilet paper is her responsibility for and plumbing calls. Show her how a plunger works. Some have no IDEA>>>

Give her instructions to text you with repairs so you have a record of her request or to email them.

Give her instructions she is not to disturb other tenants,,"re dog poop" that you've had a complaint and if she continues to disturb other tenants you'll take action...  if your prepared to do that. 

I wouldn't sweat it if she calls city code for a vengeful complaint you have your records, you can show the unit has been serviced, and will comply with any fix orders they issue if it comes to that.

As for the dead cockroach,, ya it's suppose to be dead. that's why the pest guy comes.. If it was live and running then she had a reason to call and you would have call the pest guy back. 

She's needy she could fall in line and become more reasonable. So don't take things so personal and set your phone on vibrate,, don't answer on her first ring or immediately to a text, unless your prepared to give her an immediate answer.. give yourself a moment to think and schedule what's needed as to a response and service set up. IF you think it wise take someone with on service calls you preform yourself, or vendor does.  and take video or photos of before after.