Has anyone been extorted/threatened for the deposit back?

15 Reply

Austin Mountain

Property Manager · Lancaster, PA · Member since 2016 · 72 posts · 75 votes

7y

I would send them their remaining security deposit with the deducted $200 with the bill for those services. I also would stay away from texting tenants unless it was someone I knew personally. For example, I rented a place to a friend's girlfriend so I don't mind if he texts me that the hot water isn't working or whatever. I stick to email if you want something in writing.

Tenants like to lie and puff their chest to bluff landlords into caving. Send him the remaining $1300 of the security and don't worry about it. The ball would be in his court if he wanted to pursue legal action and its just not worth the $200 for the aggravation.

6 Reply

Nathan GesnerBusiness Member

Moderator

Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes

7y

If I had a dollar for every time a tenant threatened to sue and expose me to the world for the evil scum that I am.

It's $200 which is about what it will cost him to take you to Small Claims. Here's what I would do:

1. Ignore, no matter what he does. Personal letters get filed. Emails archived. Texts and phone calls blocked.

2. If he contacts me via an attorney, I file and ignore.

3. If he takes me to Small Claims, choose whether to defend myself or contact him and offer to split the difference or just pay the amount.

I only consider #3 because that shows a level of determination that won't stop so you have to decide whether to just pay them off or defend yourself in front of the judge. If I have the evidence, I'll defend myself every day.

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16 Reply

Dennis M.

Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes

7y

Are you renting to Liam Neeson

“ over the years I’ve acquired specialized skills , skills to track you down and find you ...”

52 Reply

OP

Rental Property Investor · NC · Member since 2018 · 29 posts · 11 votes

7y

Whoa-wait you don't text? Sans this one stupid incident (which to some degree we brought it on ourselves for missing it on the walk thru after he moved out-who opens the vanity door to check inside?!!?!?!) I've found texting to be an effective mode of communication for the quick little nuggets tenants need to know every now and then. Of course, we only have 4 rentals.

Back to point... I have the freaking Terminator out there stalking us for 200 bucks.

Scott Mac

Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes

7y

Hi Jim,

You know the demeanor of the person.

If you think this is a threat to harm you or your family, go file a police report in person at the local police station.

They should look into it and let you know the outcome.

If you are fearful for you or your family, file a restraining order.

Good Luck!

OP

Rental Property Investor · NC · Member since 2018 · 29 posts · 11 votes

7y

He's actually out of state. Never had any trouble with him. Apparently he takes his vanity mirror seriously.

0 Reply

Erik W.

Real Estate Investor · Springfield, MO · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes

7y

I have a tenant threatening me now over something they said we "stole" from them. This after they moved out and left the place trashed with dog poop all over the place and not giving proper 30 days notice.

Ignore them. Move on. Don't block them. Let them rant and save every communication. It will be good on your end to remain calm and professional. Let the judge see what kind of people they are.

6 Reply

Anthony Wick

Rental Property Investor · Ankeny, IA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes

7y

@Jim Morris

Everybody else handled what to do. Now, no texting?! Of course I text! You will actually limit your rental pool nowadays if you don’t. Young people text. What’s next, no advertising on social media? Now, if it needs to be a legal or official matter, I tell them to email or mail me. For example, I send email as official notice for new lease, move out, etc. The other day a tenant text me their shower wasn’t working. We text back and forth a couple times and I determined it was probably the shower diverter. Text them back what I think it is and when I’ll come by to fix it. Easy and quick.

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OP

Rental Property Investor · NC · Member since 2018 · 29 posts · 11 votes

7y

Anthony-I agree with you. In fact, the ease of communication with us is part of our brand and we sell up the fact they don't have to deal with property managers. They contact us directly. But again, just 4 properties so it's usually not an issue and we've had really good luck with the tenants. Well, I hope it's not luck more like we've done our homework vetting the right people.

Back to the original post.. How would you take this from a former renter.. Trust me there are a few other things up my sleeve that you really don’t want me to pull out.

0 Reply

Jay HinrichsBusiness Member

Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes

7y

Originally posted by @Anthony Wick:

@Jim Morris

Everybody else handled what to do. Now, no texting?! Of course I text! You will actually limit your rental pool nowadays if you don’t. Young people text. What’s next, no advertising on social media? Now, if it needs to be a legal or official matter, I tell them to email or mail me. For example, I send email as official notice for new lease, move out, etc. The other day a tenant text me their shower wasn’t working. We text back and forth a couple times and I determined it was probably the shower diverter. Text them back what I think it is and when I’ll come by to fix it. Easy and quick.

I guess if you just have a few clients.. myself I have hundreds of borrowers over the years and then 350 tenants a few years back.. I simply will not engage on text.. half the time they text you and don't even say who they are .. and its too slow.. and I forget they texted me..

but I guess if your just handling small number of tenants and that's your style.. for me personally no way..

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4 Reply

Marc Winter

Real Estate Broker · Northeast PA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes

7y

"The more I work with people, the more I like dogs" Mark Twain (Sam Clemmons) i think.

"Do you know why? Cause dogs can't plot against you!" Marc Winter

Doug Pintarch

Rental Property Investor · Harrisburg, PA · Member since 2018 · 369 posts · 406 votes

7y

Originally posted by @Jim Morris:

Anthony-I agree with you. In fact, the ease of communication with us is part of our brand and we sell up the fact they don't have to deal with property managers. They contact us directly. But again, just 4 properties so it's usually not an issue and we've had really good luck with the tenants. Well, I hope it's not luck more like we've done our homework vetting the right people.

Back to the original post.. How would you take this from a former renter.. Trust me there are a few other things up my sleeve that you really don’t want me to pull out.

Jim, regarding your last sentence there, he's baiting you. Ignore it. He wants ou to rack your brain and think of every little thing that you've ever done wrong, including stealing your little brothers peanut butter cup when you were five. This way you'll think "Damn...he may have something on me" and you'll just send him his money.

Karl B.

Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes

7y

Ignore them. Deduct the $200. If they don't drop it then smile and realize that's a great text to provide every single landlord who calls you concerning that tenant.

Ann North

Rental Property Investor · Wayzata · Member since 2019 · 80 posts · 24 votes

7y

I'm going to give a different perspective. It sounds like there are other issues that went on that made this tenant upset, I don't know what they are. This is a TOTALLY BIZARRE response from a tenant over $200. If someone threatens you, you need to take that seriously. It's only $200. Is it worth all this turmoil? Also, some states have really strict laws about security deposits. If you don't return them in full in 15 days you can be fined like double. Here are the possibilities, they may not be popular but here is what they are in order of most probably to least:

1. Issues went on at the property that you don't know about or do and don't care and he's pissed about it and so he doesn't care about the cracked mirror and wants every penny back on deposit. In other words, bad blood and if he gets full deposit back he considers it water on the bridge.

2. He did *not* crack mirror and is super pissed at being accused of something he didn't do and sent that as an overreaction.

3. He cracked mirror and is an *******/bully who is going to be that way to get his way. You have to look at the cost of taking on this kind of person.

4. He is actually insane/unstable. If that's the case then you need to file a police report for the threat.

I can't believe all this is happening over $200 seems crazy.

Your options:

1. Return security deposit within your states laws with deduction for $200 and receipt of cost of it.

2. Refund full security deposit and move on.

3. Refund full security deposit with a letter regarding the threat and how you want to handle it (you filed a police report or spoke to a lawyer or don't threaten or something to that effect).

Because the reaction is so bizarre, I'd tread carefully. Good luck!

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Dennis M.

Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes

7y

maybe the answer is approach it from his level ?

Dear tenant

Unfortunately Your persistent threats over the 200$ has kindled my wrath which will not turn out well for you . I may appear as an unassuming flabby middle age white guy but I’m actually a golden glove boxer and a 1987 east coast kickboxing champion . Since I received your text I’ve watched 27 hours of Kung fu reruns ( tv land marathon ) and drank 4 pots of coffee and Pumped ready to rock and roll .so if your feelin froggish and want to leap then come on by and try to collect the 200 bucks. Let me know .I’ll go ahead and pencil you in for a 9:30 a$$ whippin .

Signed

“ the punisher”

40 Reply

Jay HinrichsBusiness Member

Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes

7y

Originally posted by @Doug Pintarch:

Originally posted by @Jim Morris:

Anthony-I agree with you. In fact, the ease of communication with us is part of our brand and we sell up the fact they don't have to deal with property managers. They contact us directly. But again, just 4 properties so it's usually not an issue and we've had really good luck with the tenants. Well, I hope it's not luck more like we've done our homework vetting the right people.

Back to the original post.. How would you take this from a former renter.. Trust me there are a few other things up my sleeve that you really don’t want me to pull out.

Jim, regarding your last sentence there, he's baiting you. Ignore it. He wants ou to rack your brain and think of every little thing that you've ever done wrong, including stealing your little brothers peanut butter cup when you were five. This way you'll think "Damn...he may have something on me" and you'll just send him his money.

keep in mind nothing is serious as long as its not a criminal act any threats of this nature are just laughable and some one is watching to much Hollywood TV / Movies.. real world simply does not work like that.

now folks can try to take a poke at you on Social media.. there is some weird site about rating real estate agents in Oregon and some one I have no clue who it is .. posted something negative about me.. I don't even sell real estate in Oregon.. and I do not mentor people.. but there it is.. some could read that and think I am a bad agent.. when in fact I am not an agent at all LOL.. I am a broker in CA but not in Oregon currently and I don't deal at the street level

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1 Reply

Jim K.

Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes

7y

Thoughts and prayers.

4 Reply

Anthony Wick

Rental Property Investor · Ankeny, IA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes

7y

@Jim Morris

Back to the original post.. How would you take this from a former renter.. Trust me there are a few other things up my sleeve that you really don’t want me to pull out.///////// I would ignore his text completely and do your business according to the lease. If he should be charged $200, he should be charged. Make sure you’re within timeframe and in writing of state laws. It really is as simple as that. In the future, you do your post move out inspection, and mail the refund minus any deductions that are necessary. No warnings. Iowa is 30 days. I never send refund before 2-3 weeks, because things sometimes aren’t noticed immediately. And it’s closer to 30 days if they want to threaten me.

This would not scare me even a little. Anybody telling me they have something up there sleeve, it’s nothing. If he did, he’d use it.

1 Reply

Brian Ellis

Rental Property Investor · South shore, MA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

7y

If it were me, id just give back the deposit and be done with it. I have no time for that kind of drama in my life. If he was out two days prior to the end of the month, that's $100 he wasn't asking for.

Definitely childish on his part, but so is nickel and diming people over a broken mirror.

9 Reply

Joe SplitrockPro Member

Moderator

Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes

7y

@Jim Morris you really should do a walk through through inspection when they are there and point out deductions on the spot. It is hard when you come back later and claim deductions. If I miss things during a walk through, that falls back on me.

Personally, I would tell them that since you missed it on the walk through, that you will not deduct for the damage and I would return the full amount.

He did threaten you and that is not right, but also remember who has more to lose here? You have a house worth probably a hundred thousand or more and this beef is over $200?

I know everyone is telling you to fight the good fight, but what if it turns out badly? The guy seems like a hot head. Could he be full of hot air, probably, but what if he is the type that comes in the night and trashes your property? If you give him all his deposit back, you never deal with him again. You deduct $200 and this doesn't end. Easy decision for me. I always look for compromise when small amounts of money are involved. It is called cost accounting.

8 Reply

OP

Rental Property Investor · NC · Member since 2018 · 29 posts · 11 votes

7y

Gentlemen, this is great insight...

200 bones on any other day isn't a big deal, I get that. He just caught us off guard with his diatribe, so now we're far less interested in making anything easy for him, and we're considering what recourse there should be regarding the threat. After this outburst, "I have every email and every text (so?!?!) and I promise I will do everything possible to make things totally difficult for the future". To me, the line is crossed and he's threatening our income source and livelyhood. So now if ANYTHING happens to the property or tenants, he's forever the prime suspect. He's going to need to know that.

Frankly, over a gentlemen's discussion had he simply pleaded his case how he's certain it wasn't broken on his watch, he'd have his full refund.

Great lesson for all of us, you gotta be thorough!!! Open those vanity doors!!!!

0 Reply

Joe SplitrockPro Member

Moderator

Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes

7y

Originally posted by @Jim Morris:

Gentlemen, this is great insight...

200 bones on any other day isn't a big deal, I get that. He just caught us off guard with his diatribe, so now we're far less interested in making anything easy for him, and we're considering what recourse there should be regarding the threat. After this outburst, "I have every email and every text (so?!?!) and I promise I will do everything possible to make things totally difficult for the future". To me, the line is crossed and he's threatening our income source and livelyhood. So now if ANYTHING happens to the property or tenants, he's forever the prime suspect. He's going to need to know that.

Frankly, over a gentlemen's discussion had he simply pleaded his case how he's certain it wasn't broken on his watch, he'd have his full refund.

Great lesson for all of us, you gotta be thorough!!! Open those vanity doors!!!!

I open every door and drawer on video prior to a tenant moving in. I also document all damage on a move-in checklist that the tenant signs. When someone says "I didn't do it", I just show them the video of what it looked like before move in.

You have no proof it wasn't broken when he moved in, let alone broken after he moved out. I get that you are mad, but engaging in a battle with this fool over $200 is a total waste of time. I hope it doesn't backfire on you. You have a right to be mad, but that doesn't mean responding out of anger is the best choice.

Either way, I wish the best to you. I have had plenty of run ins like this over the years. Some with way worse language and more serious threats.

4 Reply

Jerrad Shepherd

Rental Property Investor · Gothenburg, NE · Member since 2015 · 74 posts · 111 votes

7y

@Jim Morris

I had the dad of a inherited tenant call me telling me that if I didn’t give his deadbeat son his deposit back he would make waves for me. Lol, started the conversation out with so you know who I am??? The unit was left in horrible condition and it cost us around $2,500 to get it back into rent ready condition. His dad is the building inspector in the area I invest in. This happened my first year into being a landlord and it was easier for me to just give him his deposit back and go on with life rather than have the building inspector down my throat. His son has been arrested numerous times since my run in with him so daddy might have raised him a bit wrong... I would have probably done the same thing even today with the experience I have now. Sometimes it’s just easier to pick your battles. I had no reason to fear the building inspector but being on the wrong side of him wasn’t in my best interest.