Constant Complaining Tenants

[Yvonne H.]

I had heard about tenants like this, but these are the first ones of my own. The Constant Complaint tenants. I just sat down to make a list of the many complaints they have expressed to me in the past year of their tenancy and was starting to wonder if I wouldn't be better off by giving them notice and finding a new tenant. 
Thing is, some of the complaints have been legitimate. For example, after Hurricanes Florence and Hurricane Michael came through, they noticed mold around their ceiling HVAC outlets. We took care of it immediately--reacted within 24 hours. Had the HVAC checked by the best company in town. Vapor barrier. Treating the floor with Boracare. Wiping away all mold with moldicide. Bought a dehumidifier and put it inside the house. We even went ahead and had a new roof put on, because we couldn't get to the root cause. Nearly $10K later, we have now come to the conclusion that it was a combination of the extreme wet weather we've experienced combined with the fact that they were not running the AC and instead running the fan only. 

Other complaints have been:

Door knob falling off, ants, saw a roach (6 months in), can't get windows open, dust from ceiling during roof work, some yellow jacket drones got in their kitchen (we found & eliminated a yellow jackets' nest in the attic before starting roof work, some drones escaped to their kitchen). The front door had mealworms. The dishwasher steam is affecting the formica over it.

These tenants pay about $25-$100 below market rent for a fully renovated house (the roof was the only thing not new, and now it is also new). 

When the mold happened, I went personally there within 24 hours (they called me on my cell Sunday afternoon). They accused me of being a bad landlord and that they were treated as "lowest on the totem pole" When I asked for an example they cited the dishwasher steam getting on the underside of the formica!!!!

When we were nearly done with the $10k roof, they texted and asked for a discount on their rent, for their "inconveniences". Yes, that chaps me, but I will probably do it.  I have a feeling the complaints will still keep coming, though.

If I give them the discount, I would want to renew their contract (it expired last month) and clarify what consists of an emergency or crucial complaint, and what can wait for an email during the week. I'd also clarify that they need to get rid of the pallet deck they made and the junked car in the back. Oh and they'd have to start picking up their dog's poop--as stated in the pet agreement, which they haven't been doing.

The only real issue for me at this point is, I just don't know if I want to continue to have them as tenants.

What are your experiences & advice? Can someone talk me off the ledge??

[Kyle J.]

So, in summary, they pay under market rent, complain a lot, are ungrateful, don't respect you as the landlord, keep junk on the property, and don't maintain the property as required by the lease.  You're "not sure" if you want to keep them as tenants, but you're "probably" going to give them an additional discount on their rent because they asked and you're considering renewing their lease.  Huh??

That is certainly not the response I would have.  You need to set boundaries with these tenants ASAP.  I would also not give them any further discount on their rent.  In fact, I would raise their rent to at least market rate, probably above.  Why are you giving them a deal?  It's not like they're good tenants you want to keep.  Speaking of keeping them, I would also not renew their lease.  Keep them month-to-month and if they want to leave, let them.  And if you decide you want them to leave, it'll be much easier if they're month-to-month.   

Tenants like this are usually dealt with best by setting expectations and boundaries early on.  I'm guessing this has gone on for quite a while given that their lease has already expired, so it may be too late to salvage this relationship.  But you can try.  If it doesn't work out though, it'll be much easier to part ways if they're month-to-month.