WWYD...finally found a great rehab & maintenance man, but apparently he is a womanizer.

[Kimberly Jones]

I have been in this business a LONG time and I thought I had pretty much seen it all by now. This latest episode in the life of a landlord has actually left me speechless. I would love to hear what you guys think.

Anyone who does rehabs knows that the contractor can make the process flow smoothly OR they can make life a living hell. Through the years I have gone through more of them than I can count. I have had good ones and I have had some that I almost went to prison over because I surely wanted to choke them. I FINALLY found one that I absolutely love working with. He isn't just a contractor, he is a craftsman. Being that I often buy properties that are historical, it takes a special kind of contractor to help me put them back together. I thought I had finally found my bliss.

I have recently began to hold for rentals instead of flipping and a big part of that change was because I finally have someone that can fix just about anything, quickly, and usually for a fraction of the price I would pay to replace. 

One of the properties that I am holding happens to be across the street from the house I live in. It's a classic New Orleans shotgun double and it is at least 100 years old. I have put huge amounts of blood, sweat and tears into the rehab, as well as a ton of money. We finally wrapped up the first side and new tenants moved in on Friday. Nice couple in their late 20's, he is a chef and works at least 12 hours a day. She is a student. References check out. Everything seems to be just swell.

Sunday morning I am awakened by my Son because the female tenant is sitting on my front porch crying. She tells me that they had an argument and he locked her out and left. I give her another key and call him to get his side. He tells me he is going to stay with a friend for a few days while they work it out. I am already cussing myself...I don't watch much TV but I have seen snippets of shows and it appears chefs sometimes take great pride in being ********, maybe I should have weighed that against his steady income and good references??? Anyway, I explain that drama is not something that I am going to deal with and they both assure me that all is well and it won't happen again. They have been through some recent stress and they just need a few days apart to clear their heads. I am a landlord, not a relationship counselor. I explain that it better not happen again or I will immediately evict them.

Monday morning comes and my Mr. Fix It shows up as always. We are still working on the vacant unit and there were a couple of little things to do in the newly rented unit. I introduce the female tenant to Mr. Fix It and I stay over there while he is working on hers. The boyfriend/chef even stops by to check on her and to pick up a few things he needed while he stays a few days with friends. Mr. Fix it quickly knocks out what needed to be done and he goes to work on the vacant side. I go back to my day. Mr. Fix It knocks off as usual around 5pm and everything seems normal.

Around 10pm I step out on my porch and to my surprise I see Mr. Fix It's truck parked in front of the rental. Midnight, he is still there. This morning he steps out of her unit around 10 am and goes to work on the vacant unit. I have yet to speak to him today because I am afraid that I really might choke this one for real!

I would love to hear from other landlords on this one. Am I the only one that sees nothing but doom and gloom coming from my maintenance guy spending the night with my tenant, on the first day that they meet no less??? I have a hundred scenarios running through my head, not one of them good....