Aggressive (& just mean) tenant

[Aspen Jameson]

Need feedback from this community! I am a first time landlord and am halfway through this tenant’s lease, the lease expires in spring 2024. The tenant started out nice, I made a few accommodations when the tenant moved in such as allowing move in 2 days early and not charging rent. Over the course of the lease, the tenant has gotten very mean and aggressive because I did not give a discount in rent when the house had new flooring put in on the main level. This was a project that was completed in one day with minimal interruption to the tenant. The tenant also knew about this and the flooring install accommodated their schedule. The aggressive behavior started when I said I wouldn’t be paying for a repair for damage that the tenant had caused, and it’s almost like when the tenant recognized I wasn’t going to hand out discounts, they started feeling like a “victim” (their words).

Some of the messages they’ve sent have been incredibly hateful, such as calling me “an awful person” (for not giving her rent discount for a one day repair), a “terrible landlord”, “unethical”, the list goes on. At this point, I don’t think I could have a single interaction with the tenant without being attacked.

The tenant obviously does not get an option to renew when the lease is up but any advice on how to deal with this in the meantime? So far I’ve honestly just ignored and haven’t responded to the messages that are literally just ripping me up one side and down the other….advice appreciated!

[Adam Martin]

Not all money is good money.  After they have paid rent for this month I'd let them know that it seems like we are not aligned on our expectations which is unfortunate.  If they truly feel that you are an awful person and choose not to stay that is fine however as long as they are out by the end of the month you are willing to let them break the lease.  This happy clause allows them to seek greener pastures and since you aren't renewing anyway you are just pushing vacancy a few months up.  They are free to stay if they like but if so we need to stay professional and it needs to be clear this is a 1 time offer.  Out of curiosity though why did you choose to have flooring installed while the house was occupied.  It was good enough when they moved in and while it was only 1 day of install it is pretty disruptive replacing flooring and having to move things around especially since it seemed they were not willing participants from the start.