Problem with Tenant Please Advise

[Alecia Loveless]

Hi. I self manage my units, which I love doing, and therefore my tenants have my phone number for when there is an issue.

I have inherited one tenant a year ago that has no boundaries. If something bothers this tenant they call or text or both 4-5 times a day. Sometimes this can be 5-6 days a week.

For example yesterday I received 4 calls and 5 texts to find out when the lawn would be mowed, and to complain again about my contractor’s storage trailer that has been onsite for about 2 months. The trailer is neat and tidy and registered so there’s no real issue with it being there. As for the lawn, spring has just started and everyone is just doing their first mow so it’s not like we’re behind.

I have suggested twice that if this tenant is so unhappy with my style of management that perhaps moving out would be the best solution only to be told that I’ll have long since sold the building before they leave.

I am now being yelled at, called names, and having my business practices insulted.

My contractor suggested I just stop answering any calls or texts. However if I do this I know this tenant will bad mouth me more frequently to the other tenants in the building. There are 8 units.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for how to handle this?

[JD Martin]

Month to month tenant? That's easy - give him his walking papers. I have a hard no PITA rule - if you are unpleasant to deal with, you are gone.