New landlord problems, tenant that thinks they're in charge

New landlord problems, tenant that thinks they're in charge

Rental Property Investor · Pittsfield, NH · Member since 2019 · 93 posts · 32 votes

Just bought my first property in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, it's a four-unit built in 1850 my family and I plan to do an owner occupied unit with tenants in the other 3 units. The previous landlord seemed to have forgotten about the place. There's a lot of deferred maintenance and my favorite thing was the inherited tenant. Upon meeting him he talked a lot about how long things took to get repaired and how the current owner/landlord was unreachable. He then went on about all of his future plans and how fire department/ town enforcement and landlord will do nothing. He even stated that what they don't see won't kill them and he has made/ currently making upgrades in his own unit. He was very open about his plans to expand his porch, and remove all the trees on the property to expand the parking lot, mind you both these things require permits to do. With all that being said, he is on the other landlords lease for a while longer, he is a yearly contract. Any ideas of how to handle that kind of tenant?

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Real Estate Broker · 3412 S. Harlem Avenue Riverside, IL 60546 · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
6y

@Matthew Anderson monitor him closely once you take over, and make sure the lease has a way to evict him if he starts making improvements to the property. Also, speak to a local attorney who handles evictions and make sure you understand and budget appropriately for the process. You may not need to do this, but you may have to if he is serious. Also, remember that he may be all talk. He is a tenant who has lived in a poorly run property, and there is a good chance he is full of hot air. 

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  • Rental Property Investor · Pittsfield, NH · Member since 2019 · 93 posts · 32 votes
    6y

    @John Teachout thank you for your response. I'm beginning to think he could be helpful in a few ways. My main idea is to try to get him to sign a new lease as he should be MTM now. How I'm thinking to build ownership pride and some good will is to offer to redo his floors. Have him pick it out I will pay for it if he has it installed and signs a new lease 2-3 years ending in March.

  • Rental Property Investor · Pittsfield, NH · Member since 2019 · 93 posts · 32 votes
    6y

    @Jane S. thank you I will keep an eye on this just in case he goes south. I want to try retraining him and if that doesn't work but him out.

  • Rental Property Investor · Portland OR · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y

    @Matthew Anderson be sure to double check the expiration date of whatever lease/ extension that is current for this tenant. You must honor this document. Once it expires you can switch him over to your lease. If he is MTM then you are free to ask him to sign a new lease. 

    Contact your local rental owners association for all sorts of great info for new landlords 

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