Would you respond to this insult?

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

I won't bore anyone with the details. One of my ex-tenants made the following post on her facebook page and inundated me with long, rambling text messages claiming her attorney was going to take me down. Yes, she is an unemployed 19-year-old that can't afford $600 rent but she apparently has an attorney on retainer. It's a classic move.

My question: would you respond to a post like this? She made it on her personal facebook page but it is visible to the public. I already have my answer but I'm curious to see how others have responded.

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Scott Mac

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

====================

Sorry you were unhappy with your renting experience at American West.

In the future we hope you find a place where you can be more happy.

The Management and Staff at American West.

===================

(No personal signature, no personal account used.)

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Lee Bell
Real Estate Appraiser · Isabella lake, CA · Member since 2018 · 628 posts · 491 votes
6y
No response you make can fix stupid.
2 Reply
Account Closed
Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Nathan Gesner:
Originally posted by @Account Closed:
Nope. Nothing to say to any of that.
I think the issue of legal vs illegal entry is something. Perhaps you did a poor job of explaining this to her. I know the issue comes up for me and I always remind myself to do a better job of explaining it at signing. Certainly an important issue that is easily misunderstood, one where I believe it is important for a prospective tenant to understand in no uncertain terms before they sign, for good measure and smooth relations for all.

Our lease is clear:
RIGHT OF ENTRY AND INSPECTION. Landlord has the right to enter the Premises for performing inspections inside and out, making repairs, alterations or improvements, in the case of an emergency, due to abandonment, or pursuant to a court order. Except in cases of an emergency, Landlord shall give reasonable notice of intent to enter and the reason for entering. If you have animals, they must be crated, on a leash, or removed from the property during any visit by Landlord or his Agent. Visits may be recorded with video and/or photographs for office records. Landlord may place signage on the Premises or show the Premises to perspective renters or buyers during the last thirty (30) days of occupancy or any time the property is listed for sale.
When she failed to let the contractor in the second time, I texted her to let her know that we would schedule a third attempt. If she failed to allow entry, we would enter without her and complete the repair. Texting is her only form of communication so I know she saw it.
She acts as if she was in danger or that the contractor was in danger of being shot. Interesting claim since she later admitted she hadn't been in the home for two weeks.

Your lease is not clear! Your lease does not even bring the issue up!

1 Reply
Aaron Burns
Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 13 votes
6y
I may be reading this differently than the rest of you but I think she has a crush on you. You have to read between the lines but I'm pretty sure it's there.
6 Reply
Brian Ploszay
Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
Online reviews are important and you should guard your reputation and marketing. You probably cannot legally stop her. Also, you just amplified the views of her complaint by posting it on this public forum. Best to have dropped it.
1 Reply
Kimberley Lee
Member since 2020 · 10 posts · 2 votes
6y
It's not on a public page, it's on her profile... I think I would not respond. But I wouldn't feel very comfortable as she is posting and has your full name in it.
Better to see if she posts it in any other place, in that case I would respond.
0 Reply
Joe P.
Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2017 · 824 posts · 1k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Brian Ploszay:
Online reviews are important and you should guard your reputation and marketing. You probably cannot legally stop her. Also, you just amplified the views of her complaint by posting it on this public forum. Best to have dropped it.

Wait...maybe we're approaching this wrong, Nathan -- she's telling all of her social media friends not to rent from you. Maybe she's doing you a favor by excluding this particular social circle? :D

11 Reply
Anthony Vicino
Investor · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2017 · 95 posts · 130 votes
6y
That's a big steaming pile of nope, nope, nope.
If this were a review on a public site, then certainly a reply is warranted. Seeing as how this is her personal Facebook page, well, two things:
1) What's your desired outcome? You're certainly not going to change any of her "friends and family's" opinions in a Facebook post, so why bother?
2) You lend more creedence to her claim that you're a creep because "now look, he's stalking my Facebook and blah blah blah."
Don't throw wood on that fire. Just let it burn. People like this tend to start a new dumpster fire every week. This shall pass.
2 Reply
Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Brian Ploszay:
Online reviews are important and you should guard your reputation and marketing. You probably cannot legally stop her. Also, you just amplified the views of her complaint by posting it on this public forum. Best to have dropped it.

Her name is hidden and the address isn't mentioned.
I suppose someone could decide to stir up trouble, track her down, and share this post with her, but to what end? If she took it public, then I would have the ability (and willingness) to address her lies publicly and she would only end up looking foolish.

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Joe P.:
Originally posted by @Brian Ploszay:
Online reviews are important and you should guard your reputation and marketing. You probably cannot legally stop her. Also, you just amplified the views of her complaint by posting it on this public forum. Best to have dropped it.

Wait...maybe we're approaching this wrong, Nathan -- she's telling all of her social media friends not to rent from you. Maybe she's doing you a favor by excluding this particular social circle? :D

That's absolutely correct, which is why I took a screen shot of all the responses and added them to my list. They're just burning bridges because some of them will eventually want to rent from me because I'm honest, fair, and have about 20% of the market.
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Anthony Vicino:
2) You lend more creedence to her claim that you're a creep because "now look, he's stalking my Facebook and blah blah blah."

I didn't go to her page (initially). It was sent to me by one of her friends so I read it. I went back a few days later to verify it hadn't grown into anything outside of her page and then I took screen shots. It's public information.

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Isaac S.
Member since 2018 · 563 posts · 562 votes
6y
OK, so, call me old fashioned....but, I would slapper her nearest male relative with a white glove and challenge them to a dual with flint-lock pistols! then your honor will be restored, sir
3 Reply
Brian LucierPro Member
Property Manager · Fitchburg, MA · Member since 2012 · 148 posts · 201 votes
6y
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
DO NOT TAKE THE BAIT!!!
This was on her public web site page (Facebook). What are you doing on there? You are not stalking or harassing her, are you? Of course not, but by responding you pour gasoline on the fire. I WOULD however, pass this along to your legal counsel and do no more unless she files a grievance in housing court (which is closed across the whole country right now). Any further communications with your ex-tenant should be through legal counsel or may be construed as harassment. Let it go. Keep your papertrail backed up just in case.
Think of it this way. She has done you a HUGE favor. She is in your rearview mirror gaining more distance every moment, AND she has alerted her friends not to rent from you!! THAT'S GREAT!! If they are HER friends, you probably don't want them anyways.
Time to give yourself an upgrade to a NEW and BETTER resident. ENJOY!!
https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/12732/88453-top-10-tips-guerrilla-tenant-screening-tips-for-landlords
1 Reply
Brian LucierPro Member
Property Manager · Fitchburg, MA · Member since 2012 · 148 posts · 201 votes
6y
@Lee Bell

Yup. You can't fix stupid - but you can muffle the noise with duct tape!
4 Reply
Brian LucierPro Member
Property Manager · Fitchburg, MA · Member since 2012 · 148 posts · 201 votes
6y
@Aaron Burns
LMAO!!!
🤣
1 Reply
RodTra SmithPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Red Oak, TX · Member since 2018 · 20 posts · 15 votes
6y
Do not engage in this foolishness. You are the professional here so take the high road. Take a screenshot and save it to their client file. Hopefully you have kept documentation of previous conversations with this client because this response tells me that this may not be the first time you've encountered this type of behavior from them. Documentation beats conversation every time. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!.... phone calls, texts, chats,....all that!
They are clearly upset and this sometimes tense COVID-19 environment has everyone slightly on edge so don't engage. The last thing you want to do is invite more foolishness by responding. If they do want to pursue legal action, you have no worries if you've done nothing wrong right....the burden of proof is on the accuser.
Disclaimer: I am not giving legal advice....just stating my opinion!

2 Reply
Brian LucierPro Member
Property Manager · Fitchburg, MA · Member since 2012 · 148 posts · 201 votes
6y
@Nathan Gesner

HEY!! Great news Nathan!!!
The Ladies in your office are AWESOME!!!!
1 Reply
Anthony Wick
Rental Property Investor · Ankeny, IA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y
@Nathan G.
I would respond in a very professional manner. Just once. Not responding again or getting into a back and forth.
That being said, you have a bigger business than I do. I’m guessing your reputation already precedes you, and you probably do not need to respond.
2 Reply
Jonathan W.
Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2019 · 512 posts · 301 votes
6y
@Nathan G. I wouldn’t respond. If my landlord responded to my Facebook I would feel weird.
You responding to hers will make your other tenants feel like your looking at theirs.
Now obviously this was pointed out but regardless I’d stay out of her firing range. Like a psycho she will keep ranting but eventually it will come down or her credibility will be ****.
I mean, what kind of business are you losing...her friends?
Her story is very well written. Unfortunately it’s too good(meaning she paints you as the perfect devil) that it’s so obviously ********
3 Reply
Matthew Paul
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y
@Nathan Gesner I believe everything she said in that post before the second word . A 19 year old female , one of my worst was a 23 year old female . She read and signed the lease . She was responsible for cutting the grass . Her excuse was , i didnt read that part and " I am a woman why would I cut the grass" .
1 Reply
James Barnhart
Rental Property Investor · Ocala, FL · Member since 2016 · 226 posts · 140 votes
6y
I love your "Not my circus, Not my clowns" comment. I think you handled it well,
1 Reply
Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Brian Lucier:
@Nathan Gesner

HEY!! Great news Nathan!!!
The Ladies in your office are AWESOME!!!!

Can you explain?

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Anthony Wick:
@Nathan G.
I would respond in a very professional manner. Just once. Not responding again or getting into a back and forth.
That being said, you have a bigger business than I do. I’m guessing your reputation already precedes you, and you probably do not need to respond.

My reviews are around 4.6 or something like that. I have a few ugly ones that are from tenants upset over losing their deposit. I respond professionally and leave them up for others to see. Bad tenants don't mess with me much and it shows other Landlords that I can handle crazy and remain professional.

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Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
6y
There are many things you'd like to say, but I'd take the high road. If it is a small community, most of the people know what you are like (and what she is like). As you said she's 19 and, according to your son and her brother, crazy. Future landlords will see it and she will have problems renting from them.
1 Reply
JD MartinBusiness Member
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Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
6y
Originally posted by @Isaac S.:
OK, so, call me old fashioned....but, I would slapper her nearest male relative with a white glove and challenge them to a dual with flint-lock pistols! then your honor will be restored, sir

LOL. Yes, I believe we should bring back the dual!
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Brandon Heimsoth
Investor · Maryland Heights, MO · Member since 2016 · 55 posts · 36 votes
6y
I honestly don't know what I'd do. I no longer live in a small town. But I used to and everyone knew everyone. The biggest thing that I find exception to is the accusations of sending sexist messages. I wouldn't want everyone in a small town to think that would be true. The rest of if just seems like a babbling teenager that doesn't understand what a lease and a security deposit is. For my rentals in the city, I wouldn't respond because it would be in the weeds with all the renters out there.
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