Never satisfied tenant, how do i handle this.

[Gary Dale McKee]

I have a tenant who suddenly finds something wrong at or around the time of their monthly payment.  This has been the case so far every month of their lease.  I have fixed these minor issues within a day of them telling me about them every time.  I am beginning to believe this is on purpose and their way of making life a little less easy for me.  I am really new to the business and have bent over backwards to make these people happy and it seems that isn't possible.  What do I do?

[David Faulkner]

I have a slightly different perspective. If in fact they always ask around when rent is due, and then use that as an excuse to late pay, don't pay, and/or partially pay rent, then yes I would get their behind out of there so fast it would make their head spin, and I'd do so by legally enforcing the contract.

On the other hand, I have had tenants that were just really picky ... the first few months they asked for a bunch of repairs. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, showed some good will, killed them with kindness and did all that they asked for with good turn around time, even though some of it was somewhat questionable. Once they saw that I was a good guy and not a slum lord, trying to make their stay as good as I reasonably could, and they got a few things they wanted fixed completed, I didn't hear much from them after that. They stayed 4 years and when they left the place was spotless, in just the same condition as they left it ... so, them being picky turned out to be a double edged sword ... they asked a lot at first, but they also really took good care of the place.

So, I'd try to figure out just what sort of tenants you are dealing with ... give them the benefit of the doubt at first and let them reveal themselves to you, then act accordingly.