Rental Property Investor · Member since 2018 · 10 posts · 2 votes
Hello all,
Thanks for any input. So I have owned a 3 family since February of this year. I did inherit my 2 tenants anyways I have always texted them a day before letting them know I would pick up the rent from them and give them a time and I normally get the response of ok thank you or no I won’t be around can you come at so and so hour and it’s always been easy. So today I send my texts out and one says ok see u tomorrow and the other says “ Good evening.. adrian hope u don't get bothered but can u please wait until I contact u to pay the rent I feel pressured when u ask for it. It's like u dont trust me my rent will alway be on time i have a five day Grace period thank u. and sorry”
How would you handle that? I am just looking for alternative responses as I just want to tell him off but I have to bite my tongue and see how some other seasoned landlords would handle this.
If you live on the first floor you can set up a cash box they can drop the money into. I personally prefer electronic payments but it sounds like you are more hands on.
I used to have a really cool landlord that came over on the first without fail. If I wasn't around I used to put the rent in a drawer and he would just come and collect it at his convenience.
Everyone is different though. I didn't mind that he came in my apartment to collect rent. Others may feel that is encroaching on their space though.
I agree with other posters. Keep it strictly business. My landlord was cool but we never ate together. I have lived on site before and still had a property manager handle my renters too because their systems (hopefully) protect my assets better than I can independently. I also pretended I was a renter just like them.
@Derrick E. I’m lenient as well. A little late one or two times, fine by me. Come in 30 days late and not follow up with payment promises.... your getting the hammer. Tenants know not to mistake my kindness as weakness. A fine line to walk.
I had a few tenants who were affected by the government shutdown. We worked it out and now they are as loyal as ever. Once they got paid they paid me late rent and the late fees even though I waived them due to the situation. They just kept saying they really loved knowing they did not have to worry about eviction proceedings and kids were taken care of.
Generally people are good and reciprocate generosity and kindness.
@Adrian Vega how dare you want rent on the day that it's due! You shouldn't pressure people to be on time unless they're at the last day of being late that is legally allowed! They're very responsible and trustworthy just make sure to give them a grace period or they'll always be late
I had to reread that you said it's business, not personal, right after you said you were hurt because you had dinner with them last month. Entwining your life with them by having dinner is not business, that's personal. I think you are going to change the collecting rent based off the feedback here...but definitely stop having dinner with them or any other actions that blur the lines of business/personal. (If you are friends with them on Facebook for instance...)
@Adrian Vega hey bud, I'd switch to pay app, works well. I use cash app for some. Some go straight electronic bank. Picking up money seems old school. If it's what you like drive on.
@Adrian Vega dude you’re making it a personal relationship. BIG MISTAKE! They are tenants, no friends. Be courteous not their friend. It’s a business relationship. Also, there is no reason in this world why you should be picking rent up manually. Either they can direct deposit OR if they want to do cash have them drop it off at your local bank branch. Then they can choose when they drop it off and it removes you. You are getting yourself into some big big trouble.
@Adrian Vega take the emotions out of it brotha and just look surface level, I'd create a means for them to pay you themselves through bank venmo whatever but remember theyre your tenants not your friends
@Adrian Vega first off I agree with the tenant, wait until the grace period is over and also NEVER get cash as a form payment. It's not a safe and it doesn't leave a paper trail!
@Adrian Vega don't have dinner with your tenantsn keep your relationship with your tenants professional, don't befriend them, it is a business so treat it like a business!
@Adrian Vega I would say if they have paid you ontime since you have owner the property it is ok to give them there 5 day grace period. Your tenet is right and if you were my landlord I would prob tell you the same thing. Hope that helps.
Definitely, you need to find another way and avoid this uncomfortable situation from both sides. Understandable both sides position try to find a compromise together, sit down and chose the best way which one will be perfect for all of you!
@Steve B. I wouldn’t turn it into a thing. I would likely text back, “no problem... you’re right about your never being late... thanks for being a great tenant. But I would absolutely expect the rent to be paid by the end of the grace period and if it wasn’t they would have to pay the late fee.
@Adrian Vega Well, first No dinners with tenants, period. They are NOT your friends. Second, have them deposit the rent into a bank rather than you collecting. But, if you have to collect then, wait till they call or text you to come pick it up. I used to collect years ago and moved away from it.
Nothing wrong with collecting cash, don’t let these guys sway you if that’s what your comfortable with . I have no grace period other than the 5 day quit or pay notice my state requires . You can’t fault the tenant if he’s playing by your rules . Nothing wrong with being friendly but there is something wrong with being “ friends “ don’t mix personal with business .you should not be worried about their feelings too much .this is business they are your employees not your partners . Their job is to pay you rent not have tea and crumpets with you . You must realize most tenants in this business will despise you and think they are being exploited .accept it , move past emotions and keep building your portfolio up . If they sense weakness they will take advantage of you
What the heck?! You live in the same building and you meet them in person to collect the rent? Do they pay in cash? This would be so annoying for the tenant and me as the landlord.
When I house hacked a duplex I had the tenants place a check in an envelope and put it in my mailbox. I also have PayPal available as a form of payment. My lease actually states it is not the landlords responsibility to collect the rent, it is the tenants responsibility to ensure rent is paid on time. Lease also states there is a $25 convenience charge if tenant pays in cash or landlord has to collect the rent.
I would text tenant back something along the lines; “I apologize for any misconceptions I have given you. I will be implementing a new process for the tenants convenience for paying rent. Starting (insert date here), the new options for paying rent will be (insert options here. Electronic payment or otherwise. I allow PayPal or persons check). I will be sending a written notice to all tenants in the near future informing everybody of the new process. Again, I apologize for any miscommunication in the past. Thank you”.
Also, it needs to be said. I highly recommend not being friends with tenants. I’ve never had dinner or coffee or a drink with any of my tenants.
In this day of age electronic payment is the key to be accurate and reliable.
"I am too busy, daughter is ill(always at rent time), I have an emergency. My phone service AT&T is out".
Look, the bank is 1 block from you and they are open til 1 PM Sat. Today you are 10 days late. Please consider start packing and depart. You call they hang up....
Thanks for any input. So I have owned a 3 family since February of this year. I did inherit my 2 tenants anyways I have always texted them a day before letting them know I would pick up the rent from them and give them a time and I normally get the response of ok thank you or no I won’t be around can you come at so and so hour and it’s always been easy. So today I send my texts out and one says ok see u tomorrow and the other says “ Good evening.. adrian hope u don't get bothered but can u please wait until I contact u to pay the rent I feel pressured when u ask for it. It's like u dont trust me my rent will alway be on time i have a five day Grace period thank u. and sorry”
How would you handle that? I am just looking for alternative responses as I just want to tell him off but I have to bite my tongue and see how some other seasoned landlords would handle this.
They both pay cash btw.
Thanks for any constructive feedback.
It's not normal for you to pick up their rent. You need to have instructions on how they can pay you. They should drop it off at your office, mail it, pay online, put in a Dropbox or something of that nature. If it's not paid by the due date then begin the eviction process. Simple.
Still learning. But thanks for the input maybe I feel butthurt because I had dinner with them last month and they said I’m a better landlord and treat them great so it was weird to see this message so I felt a type of way but I have to remember this is a business not personal.
Do not engage with the tenants more than is necessary to perform the functions of your job. The only time you should interact or communicate with them is when you need access to their unit, they need to report a repair issue or you need to tell them that there was a problem with their rent etc... Cut everything else out.
I llke the dropbox idea, to allow them to drop of a check or money order at their conveniece. No cash. No interacting with you if they don't wish.
Offer electronic pay option if they like -- many of those have an optional automated e-mail option.
I'd worry a bit about the tenant that is late BECAUSE of the text. Unfortunately, when I hear "I feel like you don't trust me" from a tenant it usually means I shouldn't be trusting them. It's the "offense is the best defense" tactic that teenagers use when they are trying to bluster their way out of trouble.