Tenant problems, looking for advice

[Justin Butterfield]

So I'm a new investor located in Michigan and I purchased my first 4plex about two months ago and one of my four tenants has been a pain on every level and I would like to hear what you guys think I should or shouldn't do in these situations. So the tenant is claiming in harassing her because I was doing some maintenance in the basement of the property and had to hamer two nails. So she was basically upset over a couple seconds of hammering Wich to me would only be worth complaining about if it was alot more than just that. The tenant also says that I'm harassing her be walking in front of her window. To get to the the last two units on the property I have to walk around the building and she is not understanding one bit despite me telling her that we were repairing gutters on the back of the property. I would agree with her if it was a daily issue but it has only been like 10 times in the two months I had to walk to the back of the house for maintenance of some sort. I know I must give 24 hour notice I'm my state for entering the tenants apartment but she seems to think she owns the grass in front of her unit and that's part of the reason she is complaining. She also thinks that anytime I'm on the property I need to give notice to her. I read the laws and I believe that being it's a multifamily and not a single family home then I don't have to give notice to any tenants for just arriving and doing repairs on the outside of the property. I am trying to work with this tenant but she is being very unreasonable and keeps talking about getting a lawyer and such. She is currently on a month to month lease and I'm debating giving her a 30 day notice to get out because of all the unnecessary stress. I'm also thinking about sending her a email saying that if she threatens to sue me again I will have her evicted but I wasn't sure if that is the best way to do that. I feel like I'm just doing my job and doing things correctly, if you guys think I'm doing something incorrectly or breaking the law in any way or have any ideas on what I should do about all of this and who is correct in these situations I'm dealing I would love to hear all your opinions. Thanks in advance 

[Thomas S.]

From my perspective you should be considering her complaints as petty issues. You should not be stressing over it, you should be explaining your rights as a landlord and continuing to go about your business. When you explain to her that she is free to give notice to move if she wishes you may see a change in her attitude. She is simply one of those overly entitled indivulaes that believes in controlling other people. You need to draw a line in the sand and make it crystal clear as to whose property it is and who is in charge. For me this would be a tenant that would not likely be staying very long if she did not adjust her attitude but I would not be threatening her or terminating her lease just yet. I would be attempting to train her to be a good respectful tenant before I gave up on her. You are operating a business and you always need to keep in mind that what tenants say and do comes with the territory. Leave your emotions at home, there is no place for them in business. You never let anything a tenant does effect you emotionally, all business, no emotions.

She is a inherited tennat that may not work out but for you the key to successful managing is the ignore button. This type of s**t needs to roll off your back like water off a duck if not you will be taking issue home with you, that should never happen aside from laughing about dumb things tenants say and do. There are many things to learn, first your response to tenant requests is either NO or I'll think about it followed by No and you need to develop thicker skin to be able to ignore these  petty issues. With only two months in business you have plenty to learn, you need to realise people are A holes and that you are the one in charge.

This tenant is nothing more than a very minor annoyance to be ignored at this time. Adjust your attitude and approach to a professional business level. You need to prepare yourself for when you have real tenant issues.

You have already been studying your state regulations, this puts you miles ahead of most new investors since they usually never bother. Keep reading and learning your rights and you will be fine. When you know you are within your rights you are in control. No lawyers required. This is not rocket science it is one of the most basic and simple businesses around. Know your rights and your tenants rights and you will be fine assuming you always leave your emotions at home. And remember to duck when one takes a swing at you (unless you want one to assault you). Been there done that multiple times.