Funny but not funny tenant behavior during showings.

Funny but not funny tenant behavior during showings.

San Diego, CA · Member since 2018 · 31 posts · 88 votes

Ok, so this is kind of funny and serious at the same time. I work at a property management company and I do investing on the side. We recently had a very, very good tenant, one of the best we've had, so month to month after a lease expiration, because a property went on the market.  

This tenant has been incredibly helpful during all of the showings. More than any other that we've had. He's taken extremely good care of the property and helps out a lot with it.  He recently found a new place, and gave a mid month notice. He wants to be let out of the month to month periodic requirements. He gave notice last week, so his 30 days would be on November 8th, but since its periodic, that says he is stuck till December 1.  Essentially he would end up paying double rent for a month.  I have to stipulate again how helpful and kind he has been. 

So we asked the owner to release him, as we aren't re-renting and for 2+ years he's been an amazing tenant.  I personally feel we should let him go, as the property will stay empty anyhow, since its on the market.  Of course this owner disagrees and just wants to take the guys money. 

This is the funny part.  The tenant is now acting strangely when the potential buyers show up.  He wears weird clothes, sometimes he is cooking fish or broccoli.  I mean he lives there, so he has a right to cook. He has a sign he sits in the house with that says "I like Applesauce".  Sometimes he is lying in his bed in a robe eating cereal and watching cartoons.  He's clearly protesting by making the showings uncomfortable, but in a funny and very friendly way.  Thats just some of the bizarre stuff.  We all find it funny around the office.


I think we should just cut him lose, and give the guy his money.  I've always been a more spirit of the law type of person.  I think its hilarious.  I mean what else could we do to him except evict him? For what?  Cooking?  Eating cereal in bed?  HAHA.

What would you do?

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Flipper/Rehabber · Greensboro, NC · Member since 2010 · 623 posts · 615 votes
8y

@Account Closed Is it in the contract that you have the right to show the property with the tenant still in it? I'd be mad as hell if I was that tenant. I'm sure he feels betrayed.

I would definitely let this guy out of his lease and I have a ton of properties and have easily had hundreds of tenants. And I'm truly a by-the-book landlord. But, this great tenant and his referrals and testimonials will go on long after he moves out. 30-60 days worth of rent will be worth far less than his words. 

We were the great tenant in an office building for almost 2 years in a building that was basically empty other than our business. We had tons of bad experience with the landlord including a fire (that was structural issues - nothing we created) that kept us out of those rented offices for weeks. We asked to be let out of our contract 3 months early because our old offices had been renovated and were ready for us to move back in. When we originally signed our contract, the landlord knew we only needed the place until our offices were completed. We wanted a 1 year lease but he made us sign for 2 years.

At any rate, after being great on-time tenants for 21 months, he refused to give us the 3 months grace, even though we had moved out and were no longer in his building. I can assure you, we are not kind anytime someone asks our experience, and they do. What we paid him for those 3 months will never buy back the reputation he lost from us.

Business decisions are often about more than money.

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  • San Diego, CA · Member since 2018 · 31 posts · 88 votes
    8y

    @Jim C.

    Sorry to be colorful.  IF you read correctly, the owner is wildly over priced and will not listen to us. At this point, we think he deserves what he is getting.  And now once this tenant is gone, he will sit on this property until he wises up.  Just saying.  We can only do so much, and we will likely let him go because he is unreasonable in every way.

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  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Jim C.:
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    Jim C

    what is your problem.  the guy is complying. he is not breaking any lease or law.  you need to learn now to read my friend.  theres nothing we can do to this tenant, except let him out of his lease.  he isn't doing anything wrong.

     Someone mentioned earlier you should talk to him about a win-win situation as in the sooner the home sells the sooner he will be let out of the contract

     Jim, do you actually own any rentals? Do you know (not just by reading BP) what's involved in being a good landlord or property manager? From some of your posts I don't think you have any actual experience in situations like this. It sounds like you're like this particular owner, which can only backfire.

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  • Flipper/Rehabber · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2017 · 10 posts · 2 votes
    8y

    From what I've read here, legally, no one is in the wrong. But it does seem like the landlord in this case isn't being open minded. If he's selling the house it only makes sense to get it sold as quick as possible to avoid longer term holding costs.

    For the record, real estate is a people business. It's not all about the money. It is absolutely a property mangers responsibility to move in the best interests of the landlord. That INCLUDES telling them when they don't agree with their decisions.

    It's also their responsibility to maintain good relationships with their tenants. If you want good tenants that take care of your properties you need a property management company that takes care of your tenants.

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  • Investor · Soldotna, AK · Member since 2015 · 103 posts · 64 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    @Jim C.

    Sorry to be colorful.  IF you read correctly, the owner is wildly over priced and will not listen to us. At this point, we think he deserves what he is getting.  And now once this tenant is gone, he will sit on this property until he wises up.  Just saying.  We can only do so much, and we will likely let him go because he is unreasonable in every way.

     Your NOT being paid to get him to bend to YOUR wishes. You are being paid to do as he wishes. 

    If he doesn't take your advice, that is not your problem, you are still bound to do whatever he is paying you to do. 

    Its not your concern whether he sits on the property after the tenant moves out, your being paid to help him sell it.

    If he is that bad of a landlord and you have any self-respect, you will drop him now, not wait till his money runs out while laughing behind his back. 

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  • Investor · Soldotna, AK · Member since 2015 · 103 posts · 64 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Michaela G.:
    Originally posted by @Jim C.:
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    Jim C

    what is your problem.  the guy is complying. he is not breaking any lease or law.  you need to learn now to read my friend.  theres nothing we can do to this tenant, except let him out of his lease.  he isn't doing anything wrong.

     Someone mentioned earlier you should talk to him about a win-win situation as in the sooner the home sells the sooner he will be let out of the contract

     Jim, do you actually own any rentals? Do you know (not just by reading BP) what's involved in being a good landlord or property manager? From some of your posts I don't think you have any actual experience in situations like this. It sounds like you're like this particular owner, which can only backfire.

    I manage a few hundred rentals not re related. I help those that need help and 90% of the time they catch up on late payments and we move on. But if they don't pay, they don't stay, no matter how nice or good they have been in the past. We're running a business, not a charity. 

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  • Specialist · Louisville, KY · Member since 2017 · 166 posts · 154 votes
    8y
    @Jason Albeinat I’m honestly laughing out loud. That tenant is amazing.
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  • San Diego, CA · Member since 2018 · 31 posts · 88 votes
    8y

    Thank god no one lives in Alaska.  I can't imagine ever renting from Jim C.  Wow.  

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  • San Diego, CA · Member since 2018 · 31 posts · 88 votes
    8y

    @Jim C.

    YOU HAVE READING COMPREHENSION ISSUES.  The guys is not late on RENT AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!  HE is paid in full for the full contract.  And NOW, he is being whacky until he departs.  What are you going to do to him?  He isn't hindering showings, and he is PAID IN FULL!!!!! What don't you understand??????

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  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Jim C.:

    I manage a few hundred rentals not re related. I help those that need help and 90% of the time they catch up on late payments and we move on. But if they don't pay, they don't stay, no matter how nice or good they have been in the past. We're running a business, not a charity. 

     Where does he write anywhere that the tenant isn't paying? It seems as if you made up your own story, instead of actually reading what was written here. 

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  • Attorney · Columbus, OH · Member since 2018 · 55 posts · 47 votes
    8y

    This is a funny story and I see the impetus to post it here, but not every funny thing that happens in your life is appropriate to put out to the world at large.  It is unprofessional to speak poorly about your client who has paid you to manage their property.  It reflects poorly on your boss or bosses who presumably did not make the decision to put this information out into the public.  If I read this while screening property management companies, it would factor in my decision.  Sometimes the things you laugh about at the office should remain the things you laugh about at the office.

    /old man yelling at kids to get off his lawn

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  • Contractor · Fairhaven, MA · Member since 2018 · 167 posts · 159 votes
    8y

    I skipped page 3......Did someone say "penny wise, pound foolish" yet?  The landlord will be lucky to ONLY eat about 3 months worth of "expenditures" postponing any potential sale until after the tenant is out and the winter is over....  I've seen cheap bast***s like this before.   Even money he attempts some "action" against the tenant for "spoiling" his potential sales......

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  • San Diego, CA · Member since 2018 · 31 posts · 88 votes
    8y

    @Michael Gefvert

    Nah, you're fine.  There is no associated information whatsoever in this thread. Its completely anonymous. Something this funny had to be shared.  Maybe someone who had a showing at the house will chime in and I'll be busted. HAHA.

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  • Real Estate Agent · Pacific Palisades, CA · Member since 2018 · 43 posts · 14 votes
    8y

    While I appreciate your post because hearing these stories are educational, I cannot see how your (and your co-workers') frustration with the seeming stubbornness and arrogance of the owner will not affect your fiduciary work for him. He probably is being stupid, but try not to spike the football when he shoots himself in the foot. This will bleed into future work for him if you don't guard against it. 

    Maybe your company should drop him as a client if he is so bad. Until then, keep up the professionalism.

    Lastly, I get your frustration with people who do not seem to comprehend the points you made, try and keep it respectful though or this just turns into another internet forum filled with anger, hate and those looking to ridicule.

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  • Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    8y

    Love it. Good story!

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  • San Diego, CA · Member since 2018 · 31 posts · 88 votes
    8y

    @Rob 

    @Rob Duke

    Totally agree. Sorry my friend.  The guy was being disrespectful. :) You're right, I should take the high road.

    Well said.

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  • Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    8y

    I notified a tenant of the up coming sale of one of my properties as a courtesy to him. He was on a month to month and he wanted to continue the month to month with a possible new owner. My agent and I went out of our way to find a buyer that would be interested in continuing renting to him. He was a good tenant for the previous two years and I wanted to help him the best I could. I explained to him that we were looking for a buyer that would keep him in the house but he went sideways 

    He demanded to be informed in writing of a scheduled showing and then would refuse entry to the realtors and potential buyers and I told him he was in violation of the agreement. So he began allowing the scheduled showings but then began wearing a holstered sidearm when he allowed them access. I told him to please not wear a gun and he told me he was protecting his properties inside the house from the buyers and realtors.

    It provided a very serious and uncomfortable environment for the buyers and realtors and he refused my requests. It came down to me filing an eviction to remove him so the house could be sold.

    I told him prior to the filing that his behavior was not going to stop the sale but the eviction could hurt him finding another house to rent as the landlord or PM company might call me for a reference.   

    The house sold once he was removed and he texted me one day to tell me that because of me he is having difficulty finding a new place.

    I told him that I was honest and forthcoming to him for years and that I was honest with landlords and PM's when they called for references. I also told him that the person to blame for his problems was the person in his mirror.

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  • Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2010 · 377 posts · 314 votes
    8y

    Talk about "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory"- a fantastic RE market for the past two years, a perfect tenant, & this owner might still manage to lose money! It's difficult, but it CAN be done! 

    Re-reading the original post, the only thing I think I got wrong is that the tenant was requesting to be let out of the rental agreement in less than 30 days, but the owner insisted that he pay for the full 30, through 11/8 (am I right on this Jason?).
     

    Michaela G --I've been a landlord for 8 years,  my parents have had rentals for over 50. I'd be THRILLED to have this guy as a tenant!  Top of market rent, paid on time, house kept immaculate, wear & tear broken items repaired by the tenant. For 6 months he cleaned everything so that SIXTY TIMES (!!!) a bunch of strangers traipsed through his home with the expectation that  if the house sold he'd be given 60 days notice. The property was overpriced, so NO offers. 

    Imagine renting a house at top dollar with the prospect of an endless parade of lookie-lous poking around in your closets 2-3 times a week for your entire tenancy (and no compensation for this inconvenience). This situation could have continued for YEARS; as long as having it listed at a sky-high price didn't cost him a dime the owner could keep hoping for a sucker buyer for forever.

    In this situation, the (smart, well-qualified) tenant simply decided to quit paying top dollar for a seriously sub-standard housing situation & found another place. A different landlord now gets a great tenant who will keep everything spotless, repair things, cause no problems, & pay top market rent on time. Lucky new landlord.

    The way I see it, the previous landlord had a sweet deal & blew it. At best he's going to lose income, and at worst he's going to hemorrhage holding costs every month until he sells (though I wouldn't be surprised if after a few more months and no offers it gets pulled off the market & he tries to rent it again).

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  • Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2010 · 377 posts · 314 votes
    8y

    Jeff, 

    I'm curious on what grounds the tenant was evicted. Here in CA the tenant is required to allow access, but is under no obligation to do anything else --no cleaning or vacating of any sort is required (nor is dressing, getting out of bed, answering the door, or turning off the porn movies, & holstered firearm is A-OK as long as it's legal). Any tact, taste, or politeness are completely up to the tenant. Oh, and the landlord is required to give 24 hr writte notice for each and every showing, unless the tenant waives that. 

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  • Rental Property Investor · Buffalo, MN · Member since 2010 · 511 posts · 92 votes
    8y

    Nobody knows the owners knowledge of the market, financial, mental condition, might be a out of area owner and this is their only rental. Might just not be that savvy when it comes to real estate even though the market is on fire. Maybe there is a communication hang up with what the owner thinks is going on and what is being explained to them. None the less the PM or licensed agent is working for the owner and their best interest to manage and or sell property. If the owner is being ridiculous decline your services if not in agreement with what is going on.

    Yes, commonsense would tell you let the tenant out of lease and move on with selling the house, buts the owner calls the shots.

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  • Real Estate Agent · Rancho Cucamonga, CA · Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    8y

    That is pretty funny, I'm interested to hear what ends up happening, make sure to give us an update! :D

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  • Investor · Soldotna, AK · Member since 2015 · 103 posts · 64 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Michaela G.:
    Originally posted by @Jim C.:

    I manage a few hundred rentals not re related. I help those that need help and 90% of the time they catch up on late payments and we move on. But if they don't pay, they don't stay, no matter how nice or good they have been in the past. We're running a business, not a charity. 

     Where does he write anywhere that the tenant isn't paying? It seems as if you made up your own story, instead of actually reading what was written here. 

     Where did I write his tenant was not paying??? I was talking about mine.

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  • Investor · Soldotna, AK · Member since 2015 · 103 posts · 64 votes
    8y

    I'm not saying the tenant is right or wrong

    I'm not saying the landlord is right or wrong

    I am saying the PM has a responsibility to the person paying his bills and he NEEDS to do everything within his power to work with that person. And if some of you still can't figure out who is signing the front of his checks, its the landlord...

    If the PM does not agree with the LL, thats fine but he/she still needs to do whatever the the LL says since they are signing the front of the checks... ITS THEIR JOB!!!

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  • Rental Property Investor · Longview, TX · Member since 2012 · 23 posts · 1 vote
    8y

    grant ih how? 

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