"Crazy cat lady" but paying well above market and pays early every time. How much pressure should I keep on her?

Question

I've got 4 units that I rent out furnished and all bills paid.

My target market is guys coming into town for work and want to save compared to a hotel, Most of my contracts are month to month, I'm getting nearly double market rent, and I have a wait list (I know many of you are wondering about vacancies).

One lady has ended up with me in a long term situation and is happily paying the higher rent, uses less utilities than her neighbor, fixes her own stuff, even though I implore her not to and to let me pay my handiman to do it, and pays rent early.

I knew she had one cat. One cat has turned into at least 6 litter boxes and taking in uncountable strays. I know the apartment stinks, I know that I'm going to have to pay a ton to fix it after she's out, I know that it's going to cost vacancy on top of the repair.

But she's paying....

I am putting some pressure on her to clean up, but with so many "Of course, Hun", and other pleasantries, I haven't really come down on her hard.

My thought is:

I'm going to have to do the repairs no matter what. whatever damage she's caused is unlikely to get worse (she's been there over a year). What's the difference in doing it now and doing it in another 6 months or possibly years down the line?

Colleen F. · Answer

First off ,  at least she has litter boxes that is a plus!    I sympathize and know the type (my sister is a cat lady).  However get it under control. It will cost you other tenants. Even if you are okay with a couple cats set a limit and let her go if she can't stick to it.  The reason she is fixing her stuff is she doesn't want you in the apartment.  Yes some of the damage is done but it can get worse.

James Vega · Answer

I fell into the same trap as you are in.  Had a tenant in my place that was paying on time every time for almost 6 years straight.  I did not know she was the "crazy cat lady" until the last year after I had fired my Property Manager.

Long story short, she stole all of the carpet out of the house (1800 sqft) and totally trashed the place.  She had been living without the carpet and just walking on cement slab for a while before she moved out according to the neighbors.  She cost me over 15K to get it back up to snuff.  Lots of great lessons learned from her!

When I went into make the repairs the neighbors had said she had over 7-8 cats and several dogs.  She would routinely go to the pound and get the sickest animals to take home a give a "loving home" for the last month's of their lives.

Be forewarned...they are called crazy cat ladies for a reason!

Ryan Dossey · Answer

@Tony Gunter

Is correct. A lot of the times it is a sign of a deeper emotional issue. I would maybe let her know that you are worried animal control may step in and you would hate to see that happen. Someone could have 10 pets for all I care. If they are all properly cared for and maintained. The problem lies when they get in over their head and in the sea of cats they don't notice the dead one ontop of the piano etc.

You also have to look at your lease as I guarantee you she is violating your pet clause. (assuming you have one if not..... get one.)

Andrew S. · Answer

I was with you most of the way, Chris, but I disagree on the last point.  If you want her gone, give proper notice (sounds like she is m2m) and be done with it.  Don't play games with squeezing rent until she goes broke.

Chris Simmons · Answer

Based on what I know, if the damage is done, its done.  Might as well keep her as long as she is not bothering others.

If she is upstairs with wood floors, then maybe more damage can come.  Single story with concrete slab...maybe that is better although i have never had to get rid of cat urine odor out of either material.  Not sure how hard it would be with concrete, but my gut tells me concrete is less of an issue compared to wood.

If you want her gone and she is on month to month.  Just gradually raise rent....as long as it is legal, non discriminatory etc....(comparable with other units).  She will go eventually.

Ronald Perich · Answer

@Vik Desai I know you want to be sympathetic to this nice person. I know there is internal, emotional pain in seeing animals taken away by the local authorities.

You have to stop this now. It will not get better no matter how many times you speak with her. You have to set the boundaries and you have to tell her what she is not allowed to do within the property that you own.

I don't know what rents you're getting for this unit, but let's say you are clearing (after everything) $250 a month on the unit. I mean that would be a huge cash flow for anyone!

If she does $5K worth of damage to the property, it's going to take you nearly two years to recover that money.

Mike F. · Answer

Hey, crazy cat ladies have to live somewhere, and you're doing us all a favor by letting her stay with you.

Just keep an eye on the legal cat limit and keep her under it and enjoy the ride. You've at least going to have some great stories.

Daniel Mohnkern · Answer

If you have a waiting list and full occupancy at the higher rate for all, why should she get the same rate while damaging your property?  I would allow her to stay if she is willing to pay a premium for the pets.  Otherwise, there are others less likely to cause damage willing to pay the same price.

Tony Gunter · Answer

Ah, come on meow !

Is anyone else complaining? You have to be careful as cat urine is so strong and concentrated your cleaning job could turn into a gut job given long enough. Is there anyway you could get animal control to intervene just to knock down the population. Many times the cat things can mask emotional or psychiatric issues. I am trying to think of a way to help her get things back under control without pushing her off the ledge. Try to find a win/win.

"Crazy cat lady" but paying well above market and pays early every time. How much pressure should I keep on her?

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