Would you renew a lease on a disrespectful tenant?

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Would you renew a lease on a disrespectful tenant?

Sarah Young
Realtor · Charleston, SC · Member since 2017 · 116 posts · 88 votes

She has been there a year and a half and on multiple occasions has been demanding and rude to me. She’s also a former lawyer for the FBI. She is very demanding, and kind of high-maintenance.

But she always pays her rent on time.

Her lease is up at the end of January, but she asked for a six month extension option when we signed it. She wants to stay, and wants another year lease, and wants me to sign it now. I’ve told her we will keep the terms as-is for the next six months, then revisit. She’s again asking me to sign the lease for the end of the six months now. Her last landlord sold the house and she had to move when she didn’t want to, so she is probably afraid I might do the same.

Would you tell her you are waiting to see if she can be more respectful in her communications before you sign the lease? Because that’s the only reason I want to wait. I’m not sure turning over the place is worth it either, but I don’t like the intimidation and threats I get from her.

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James Wise
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
7y
Originally posted by @Sarah Young:

She has been there a year and a half and on multiple occasions has been demanding and rude to me. She’s also a former lawyer for the FBI. She is very demanding, and kind of high-maintenance.

But she always pays her rent on time.

Her lease is up at the end of January, but she asked for a six month extension option when we signed it. She wants to stay, and wants another year lease, and wants me to sign it now. I’ve told her we will keep the terms as-is for the next six months, then revisit. She’s again asking me to sign the lease for the end of the six months now. Her last landlord sold the house and she had to move when she didn’t want to, so she is probably afraid I might do the same.

Would you tell her you are waiting to see if she can be more respectful in her communications before you sign the lease? Because that’s the only reason I want to wait. I’m not sure turning over the place is worth it either, but I don’t like the intimidation and threats I get from her.

 You need to cut out all of this additional & unnecessary communication. Tenants are not your friends nor do you need to engage with them when they reach out to you for things that are not absolutely necessary. Here is the deal, no matter what you do they will not like you. You've got to accept that fact moving forward.

 I am gathering that she has your cell number & feels like she can call you whenever she feels like B*tching about something? She feels that way because you answer the phone & try to work through everything with her Cut that out. Give her one form of contact & one form only. I'd use email. From there ignore all other modes of communication & only respond when necessary. Your job is to respond to her when you are changing the terms of the lease, rent is late or you need to handle a repair. Other than that there is no reason you need to communicate with her. She doesn't know this because you've trained her to believe that she can communicate with you for other reasons. Train her to know that she cannot.

On top of eliminating unnecessary communication I wouldn't negotiate or argue when communicating about necessary things. I would tell her this. 

"Your option is to sign a new lease for 12 months under these terms or move out. You've got until X date to figure out what you want to do. End of discussion." 

Do not engage in any of the additional comments she has. 

"but I want to do this because" or "but why" etc. 

If she is unable to call you on the cell & you only respond with her options & avoid engaging in that nonsense she will learn it's a waste of her time & you'll have a more appropriate relationship with her.

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  • Michael Noto
    Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    The tenant pays on time which is the most important thing. 

    If you get stressed out about your phone buzzing constantly for repairs (no problem with that at all by the way) find a different way for her to communicate repairs. 

    0Reply
  • Berry Leonard
    Rental Property Investor · Greensboro / High point / Kernersville NC · Member since 2016 · 17 posts · 30 votes
    7y

    @Sarah Pursell

    Sarah , I would raise the rent by 20% since you are extending 6mths, assuming you have a min 1yr lease and the rental market is strong in your area. We typically raise the rent for 6mth extensions unless they have been a very good long term tenant. If they have a good payment history, 6mths is not much time to deal with the tenant.

    We have had many demanding tenants over the years, it is part of the business. You are in control, you can ignore their texts and calls, respond on your time frame or let them know when you will respond. If we have disrespectful tenants, call them out and let the know you will not deal with them until they change their attitude.

    You have the control and leverage in the relationship.

    1Reply
  • Marian Smith
    Real Estate Investor · Williamson County, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 961 votes
    7y
    @Sarah Pursell Lawyers are trained to be adversarial. Don’t take it personally. Sounds like she is older and single....for that reason? Also, maybe her last landlord drug his feet on repairs and she has vowed to be more forceful with future landlords. Kill her with kindness, but remind her when she signs her 6 month extension that the lease is for the house “as is” and ask what else bothers her about the house...because if she is asking for “repairs” that are more irksome to her than necessary you may want to explain that the house is x years old and she can keep a “honey do” list to tack on to the next time you are making necessary repairs. If the repairs have been legit, then maybe she is a lttle peeved that the house has needed repairs that could have been addressed prior to her tenancy...a valid beef. Imo
    0Reply
  • Sarah Young
    OP
    Realtor · Charleston, SC · Member since 2017 · 116 posts · 88 votes
    7y

    Thanks everyone for your replies! 

    I sent her a text basically telling her I am uncomfortable with the disrespectful tone in much of her communication, and I am going  to wait the last six months of our current lease to see if the communication can become more respectful before I sign anything. She got it, and sent an apologetic, kind-toned text back. We will see how the next six months go! I definitely feel like I have the upper hand now. 

    12Reply
  • Wesley W.
    Rental Property Investor · The Vampire State · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    @Matthew Olszak

    "It sounds like you're unhappy with the unit, and that being the case, can I expect you to vacate the unit upon termination of the lease?" 

    This is EXACTLY how I would have responded.

    1Reply
  • Jacob Lindsey
    Rental Property Investor · Destin, FL · Member since 2018 · 5 posts · 3 votes
    7y

    @Thomas S.

    Spot on. This is a business. And you will inevitably have to deal with difficult or rude people. Nice doesn't pay your bills, but tenants who pay on time do.

    0Reply
  • Bryce Allen
    Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2016 · 62 posts · 28 votes
    7y

    @Sarah Pursell IMO a leopard doesn’t change its spots, especially lawyer leopards. She’ll be back to her usually self shortly.

    I bought a property that the owner offloaded because of one tenant. She was an older lady who was a major PITA. She moved out shortly after I purchased the property but my limited interactions with her were... painful. Had she not left I would have evicted her. Even in my limited dealings with her she attempted to play the victim card, was just a rude spiteful person, and lied constantly. Lots of other fish in the sea IMO.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Lender · Pensacola, FL · Member since 2017 · 658 posts · 626 votes
    7y

    A potential technical solution to the on-demand phone calls -- can't you ignore the incoming call and have it redirected to voice mail (I can on my smartphone). Then you call (or text) back when it's convenient for you to do so rather than having your dinner or business meeting disrupted.

    0Reply
  • Cliff Graham
    Rental Property Investor · Jacksonville / Neptune Beach, FL · Member since 2015 · 14 posts · 5 votes
    7y

    @Sarah Pursell

    I'm not concerned nor impressed with her former position as a public servant or that she holds a law degree. Moreover, rude people are usually scared people and with that I'd increase the rent at least 10% above the market for your area. After all, she's good for it, right ?

    Thanks,

    Cliff

    1Reply
  • Stone Jin
    Rental Property Investor · Chandler AZ and Sylvania, OH · Member since 2009 · 708 posts · 561 votes
    7y

    @Sarah Young There are tons of people who just talk in a certain way and do not realize they are offending others.  She sounds like a solid tenant, if she just wants repairs on her schedule just have her schedule it with your contractor/handyman.  I have my handyman/ac guy, garage guy, tree guy, whatever guy just contact the tenant directly to schedule.  I get a bill at the end of it and life goes on.

    0Reply
  • Tchaka Owen
    Real Estate Agent · Merritt Island, FL · Member since 2017 · 986 posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    @Sarah Young - sounds like you have some of it under control which is great. This is a short comment to state that I find @James Wise's 2 comments to be among the most solid advice I've read. BP comes through again!

    1Reply
  • Jacob G.
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2018 · 27 posts · 19 votes
    7y

    It's not worth your mental health if it is bothering you that much.

    However, on the brighter side, you can learn so much from her demands/requests and how to balance tasks/management on which one to delegate/outsource versus to do it yourself.

    I always account this on operating cost. As long as she is paying on time, I should have money to manage a tenant that have high volume of messages/requests/demands. It becomes a problem when they stop paying.

    0Reply
  • Danny Buresh
    Member since 2018 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y

    @Sarah Pursell

    It’s a push that they pay their rent on time and it all depends on what they’re complaining about if it’s stuff that supposed to be taking care of it is our job as a landlord to take care of it if it’s taken care of properly they have no complaints don’t know the story but I’d rather have my tenet ask me to fix something then it cost more damage for me to fix later

    Make sure your lease he’s clear on what your response before and their response before that might cut down on some of the complaints

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Rental Property Investor · Birmingham, MI · Member since 2016 · 60 posts · 71 votes
    7y
    My $.02. Raise the tent to offset the cost of a management company as best you can. Or raise the rent to give you a raise and just say no. I think if you confront the tennant you'll set yourself up for a much better relationship. I wouldn't say that she's being rude, but she definitely is more a type A personality. It should only take one brief conversation. Just go head on and leave out the feelings; this is business and these are business transactions.
    1Reply
  • Tami R.
    Clive, IA · Member since 2013 · 141 posts · 89 votes
    7y
    @Sarah Pursell.... funny I just read your topic and I thought sounds like my jerk of a lawyer tenant of mine. I eventually told him that I dont know who the hell he thinks he is but I am not one of his clients and he will never talk to me again that way. He has been a lot better. I also told him I had low life drug addicts that had more respect towards me than he did
    1Reply
  • Jordan MoorheadBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Austin, TX · Member since 2015 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    @Sarah Pursell she hasn’t necessarily done anything wrong. You don’t have to like your tenants. They just need to pay rent and take care of the place.

    [email protected]512-888-9122
    The Moorhead Team5140 Reviews
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    0Reply
  • Casey Powers
    Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2018 · 405 posts · 474 votes
    7y

    How to schedule repairs:

    Once you determine a repair is needed, contact your repair vendor, handyman, whoever. Provide them with the info needed, including property address, tenant name and contact info, and description of problem.

    Then inform tenant that repair person will contact them to schedule work.

    Let the repair person schedule with tenant. There is no reason for you to be involved in that, other than to follow up at an appropriate time to make sure work was done and if not, handle the vendor or get someone else.

    This greatly reduces the dramarama regarding repair scheduling.

    2Reply
  • Nicole Duran
    Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 23 posts · 7 votes
    7y

    @Sarah Pursell

    I would sign for six mo this and get on the prime rental season. Then raise rent quit a bit. If she takes it then at least you have more money in your pocket to put up with her. Also keep in mind that there are horrible tenants that smoke, throw parties, and trash your property so you just need to ask yourself what you value more.

    1Reply
  • Judy Parker
    Rental Property Investor · Closter, NJ · Member since 2015 · 884 posts · 722 votes
    7y

    Here in New Jersey we have Anti-Eviction laws - a Landlord can NOT refuse to renew a residential lease unless you have a really good reason, i.e., "non-payment of rent," "damage," etc.  Better check your local laws before you refuse to renew the residential lease of an attorney....just sayin'

    4Reply
  • Mary M.
    Rental Property Investor · Portland OR · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Sarah Young:

    Thanks everyone for your replies! 

    I sent her a text basically telling her I am uncomfortable with the disrespectful tone in much of her communication, and I am going  to wait the last six months of our current lease to see if the communication can become more respectful before I sign anything. She got it, and sent an apologetic, kind-toned text back. We will see how the next six months go! I definitely feel like I have the upper hand now. 

     Wow. I would never of done this. This is unprofessional on your part.   It isnt up to your tenant to be professional - that is your job.  

    I honestly will suggest that you get a property manager. 

    0Reply
  • Irina Belkofer
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2017 · 719 posts · 658 votes
    7y

    @Mary M. she's the property owner, not a professional PM. She can have emotions and it's her right to deal with people she likes.

    When you work for others, you better be professional, but not for your own properties.

    BTW, I always have more professional relationship with other owners Tenants but mine are always somehow a headache. I don't let mine know that I'm the owner, just like for every tenant I'm a PM. Nevertheless, the worst Tenants I had were my own

    I think it doesn't worth the aggravation 

    4Reply
  • Lauren B.
    Asheville, NC · Member since 2017 · 170 posts · 242 votes
    7y

    Sounds like you ha e this under control - just wanted to chip in that I would wait the 6 months til summer to sign a one year lease (and maybe raise rent) so I don’t have a turnover in January.

    1Reply
  • Gregory Witherell
    Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    7y
    @Sarah Pursell I would keep her as a tenant, but a good option for you is to go with a property managment company. Raise the rent so that way it covers your PM's fees. This will allow the PM to be the middle man and you do not have to receive threats or any unnecessary drama. The PM will handle that for you. Just do your research on a good one. Some PM's can be a bit sketchy. You want someone who is going to be able to handle the issues you have been dealing with. Good luck and hipe this helps.
    0Reply
  • Christin Ross
    Rental Property Investor · Danbury, CT · Member since 2018 · 8 posts · 5 votes
    7y

    Personally I would renew her lease seeing she pays on time.  The only way I would not renew a tenants lease for being rude and disrespectful is if they are now following specific rules and I’ve had multiple conversations with them.  If you just don’t like her as a person or her tone but she pays the rent and keep the house in good working order with minimal damage I would renew.  Unfortunately we are not going to like everyone.  I guess it’s just just part of doing business to have to deal with the occasional tenant ou here just cant stand.  Good luck and I hope it all works for the the best no matter what you decide.

    4Reply
  • Mary M.
    Rental Property Investor · Portland OR · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    @Irina Belkofer oh, absolutely i agree we can have emotions - i just think that the more profressional we are as self managers the better off we will be.  Less angst, less fodder for the tenants etc. 

    I did a lot of reading on getting what you want from others and i have found that in general being pleasant, professional and kind wins the day. Even when I need to get tough, i try to keep it professional. 

    But obviously we each can do as we think best - :)

    1Reply
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