Repeat Maintenance Complaint

Repeat Maintenance Complaint

Member since 2019 · 12 posts · 2 votes

Hi there,

A bit of a sidebar issue but there’s so much experience on BP I’m curious if someone has an opinion I haven’t thought of. I have a consistently painful tenant who complains constantly, harasses, yells, curses and is under the impression that all requests he makes are emergencies. When things have escalated on his end in the past I have offered him the option to break his lease and he has made it very clear that he has no intention of ever leaving (just complaining forever, lucky me). After his threats bordered infringing on my personal safety, I searched public court records and found that he has declared bankruptcy twice (this building was rented when I purchased it and the tenants came with it, with very little record of what dd was run on them) and the tenant constantly threatens to withhold rent for minuscule inconveniences. 

Most recently he has been complaining that dryers in our building (coin operated) do not get hot enough and that it is affecting his quality of life (literal quote). I have not received any other complaints from the other 9 units in the building but i brought out a maintenance technician and he thoroughly tested all the dryers and confirmed everything was fine. I communicated this to the tenant and he was extremely unhappy, continuously bombarding me with emails that I should be listening to tenants not repairmen (which I told him is not going to be my strategy). My long winded question is-am I obligated to keep chasing these complaints or am I justified in closing these types of things once I receive a confirmation that they are functioning correctly? 

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Rental Property Investor · Yardley, PA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 561 votes
7y

Improve his "quality of life" by sending him this!

Quality of Life enhancer for PIA Tenant!

See this reply in the discussion

13 Replies

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  • Rental Property Investor · Indiana...mostly · Member since 2019 · 468 posts · 245 votes
    7y

    In my area I'm required to do only a couple of specific items to keep the premises habitable.  So, I'd close the book but I'm not sure if that would work in your area.

    Personally, after trying diligently to understand his point-of-view, if I decided I couldn't take care of his concerns and if I felt harassed, I'd let him know that I'm not renewing his lease.

    From reading on BP though, I think some landlords are in areas where it may not be easy to do that.

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y

    Demand all communication in writing. Stop talking to him in person or on the phone because that gives him a platform to argue.

    Written communication can be addressed one of two ways:

    1. Thank you for reporting (maintenance issue). I will hire a contractor and have them contact you directly to gain access and complete the work order;

    2. Ignore and do not respond.

    They'll eventually learn "Homie don't play dat!" and go away.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
  • Property Manager · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 216 posts · 110 votes
    7y

    Nathan is right on in getting everything in writing as it should minimize the superfluous complaints. I don't know what your relationship is with this tenant, but if appropriate, I will suggest communicating that the relationship needs to become and stay professional going forward. No landlord or tenant should be exposed to hostility from each other. If this doesn't work out, then not only demand but document all communication. If you ensure all your responsibilities are taken care of and the tenant does something in breach of lease, although it may be extremely difficult, you may want to decide at the time to evict if it makes sense. Good luck!

  • Investor · Kennedale, TX · Member since 2016 · 219 posts · 349 votes
    7y
    You could simply tell him that you are responsible for health and safety issues. Things like leaking roofs, sewage backing up, A/C not working, etc... Everything else is done when and if you choose to. Have him turn in repair requests and you will get to it when you deem it appropriate. If he would like to pay for the things he wants fixed you could get those things done right now.
  • Investor · Akron, OH · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    This type of entitled attitude sounds like you are dealing with NPD (Narssistic personality disorder). 

    They constantly fish for compliments and say things like, "I'm the best tenant you have. I'm never leaving."  Their problems (real or imagined) are the ONLY problems that matter. They constantly ask for improvments but don't want to pay for anything, after all they DESERVE special treatment. I had one that threatened to call 9-1-1 because his drain was slow on a Saturday afternoon and he might die of sewer gas fumes (he googled it) if I didn't get a plumber out RIGHT THEN. He didn't tell me about the problem when I talked to him Friday morning during business hours. Drano fixed the problem-- no plumber required.

    In almost three years he's the only person I've ever evicted from one of my units. You couldn't reason with the dude.

    If you are dealing with NPD. Non-renew. They won't leave and you'll have to evict but it's worth it :)

  • Rental Property Investor · Yardley, PA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 561 votes
    7y

    Improve his "quality of life" by sending him this!

    Quality of Life enhancer for PIA Tenant!

  • Member since 2019 · 12 posts · 2 votes
    7y

    Haha! Thank you all for your input, a lot of great ideas an I will be putting them to action. Unfortunately in New Jersey not renewing or evicting a tenant is close to impossible but all of the feedback is extremely helpful as always! 

  • Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    7y
    With tenants like this my response is always the same, "I'll take a look next time I am at the property. I never respond to any other contact from the tenant on the issue. I do not bother making any special trips to the property and do not hire contractors. Respond to first e-mail, do not respond to any follow up e-mails from the tenant, basically ignore all requests and complaints from that tenant. Complaints always get the same response …. You are free to leave.
  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    7y

    @Abigail K.  What happens if you increase his rent?  That might be incentive for him to move...if not at least you get paid more for your headache.

  • Member since 2019 · 12 posts · 2 votes
    7y

    @Theresa Harris rental laws in New Jersey heavily protect the tenant and most towns are rent controlled. There are rent control laws that do not allow me to raise the rent more than something around 3-4% each year (per my township ordinance) so sadly it’s going to be a long haul with this one.

  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    7y

    @Abigail K.  Where I am there is also a limit on how much you can increase rent.  Still if you do it the max amount every year, it might help.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he will probably complain about any rent increase!

  • Rental Property Investor · St. Petersburg, FL · Member since 2017 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    @Abigail K. When does the leas expire? He says he plans on staying forever, but luck for you, that's not his decision. Send him a letter of non-renewal within the appropriate time frame and get him out. If he's the only sore spot in the building, think about how much better your life will be with him out

  • Bob RomanoPro Member
    Investor · Warwick, RI · Member since 2015 · 137 posts · 100 votes
    7y

    i love @Scott Weaner reply !

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