Tenant already not working out
Hey BP,
So. Just a short back story. Second month of lease, the rent was 2 days late. My wife texts, they say the rent is on the way. Next day I get only $700 of what was supposed to be $1700. Tenant explains you can only get a money order for $1,000 and they mailed them together so it should be there the next day. I'm still not sure why she didn't just put it in the same envelope, but whatever. After this, she texts my wife to ask if after a year it's month to month. Basically she's mad that we asked her where her late rent was. My wife and her have a brief exchange and she states how "patient" she was with us about a leaking pipe that we had called a plumber several weeks back to fix. She stated that it continued to leak. Her wording was odd so we couldn't really tell if it was currently leaking or not. Texted her today to clarify if it was still leaking. No response. What do we do?
As always. Thanks for the help.
Most Popular Reply
#2 General Landlording & Rental Properties Contributor
There is no coloration between rent payment and repairs. Deal with these issues separately. You are being manipulated as it is a typical practice for a tenant to redirect their short comings to landlord responsibilities. Challenge a tenant on rent payments and they will always challenge the landlord on repairs.
Your tenant will not ever work out if you do not begin the train process early in the tenancy. Tenants are like a puppy, if you do not train them you can not expect them to know what is acceptable. With a new tenant it is your responsibility to train them how to be a good tenant. The training should have begun during screening regarding your expectation concerning rent payment. You must have strictly enforced policies in place that are clearly conveyed to your tenants. When you waver on enforcement your tenant will own you.
You need to inform your tenant that late payments will not be tolerated and late fees will be enforced. Repeated late payments will result in eviction. Paying late on the 2nd month of tenancy is absolutely not acceptable and the fact is your tenant is now in the process of training their landlord.
You must either train or terminate this tenant now. Rent must be in your hands by midnight on the day it is due or on the 2nd a late fee is applied. It does not make any difference how it is delivered but if by mail must arrive by the due date. Date posted is not relevant.
I would speak to them and make this very clear and offer to let them out of the lease if they feel they can not comply as opposed to them facing a future eviction.
You have what is going to be a ongoing problem that will get a lot worse if you are not capable of enforcing rules.