First time investor, tenant non-payment, help!

[Aaron Gore]

Hello all!

New investor here, just got my first property. 3 unit, live in, Hermosa, this past April. One tenant is great, on time with rent, communicative. My relationship with the other has been a bit rocky. Finding it hard to balance being friendly and personal with being professionl, especially because I live on site and this is my home too. They have been late a few times with rent but always payed, until last month. Payed half of August and none of September so far. They essentially ghosted me for a few weeks, not responsing to multiple communications attempts. Eventually when my language became stronger they responded. Essentialy they were jobless for a few months, got a job again mid August, has not yet gotten a paychek, supposedly the first paycheck they get is Friday Sept 9th. Options im toying with: 1. Creating a payment plan once they have their budgent and payment schedule (they seem amenable to this). 2. Giving 5 days notice for eviction if they dont pay sept rent by the 5th (which im confident they wont be able to pay). Truly any thoughts appreciated. Thank you!

[Jon A.]

Never accept partial rent. Enforce your late fees. Give them a 5 day pay or quit. If I were you I would google and print out your states Landlord/ tenant laws and get to know them very well. I am sure they are amenable to a payment plan, who wouldn't be? You need to figure out if you are a landlord/housing provider or want to babysit someone who will live off your kindness. You both signed a contract and they are not holding up their end of the contract. Your lease states the contract and the reprecussions for either party not fulfilling that contract. It is that simple. There are so many people out there needing housing and this person is simply occupying a home that someone else would glady pay for.