Well, I "thought" they were good people........

[Brian K]

Well a couple months back I was on here talking about first showing my apartment for rent, went through a lot of people, and was finally glad to get some "good" people. The guy checked out, had his own business for years. Young couple, not married but together for a long time put on a show like they were great people. First month's rent was in cash as well as the security...

Next month the girl calls me in a panic. I know she just started a new job but she was saying she needed another week to get it together and get me "her half" of the rent. Unfortunately for me I was traveling with family issues and didn't have the time to really deal with her. She seemed like a good honest person. Said is it ok if she gives me half of her share and the next week the other half and to not tell the boyfriend and after this, it will "not" be this way anymore. Then the guy shows up with half the rent and says I guess she gave you the other half?

Fast forward 4 weekends later and the rent is due again in a week and of course guess what? She hasn't paid squat and has a new excuse every week. I hate to go and tell "the boyfriend" and let the ** hit the fan but I think I gave her enough of a chance to get it together. It's looking like I'm going to have to ask them to leave. I will try and get him to settle up on this and already told him last month they don't live in a dorm, and when he brings the rent, he needs to bring the rent, not half. I have my fingers crossed but I'm doubtful at this point.
Oh yeah, they have a habit of fighting late at night and she yells and slams doors, like at midnight. Already talked to her about that also.

[Jon Holdman]

Sorry, but you screwed up as soon as you started talking about "her half of the rent". There are no halves. You rented it to the two of them, right? With "joint and several liability"? You should get paid "the rent", not "my half and her half." Accept one and only one payment. If the entire amount is not paid by your due date its late. Now, I have worked our arrangements where a tenant told me the rent was going to be a few days late, and I didn't post a pay or quit. But if not, or if the arrangement doesn't work out (i.e., I don't get paid), the pay or quit goes up.

At this point it sounds like a quarter of one months rent is unpaid and the next month's rent is almost due. Is that correct? I'd tell her the entire amount that's owed - back rent plus the full paying for the coming month - is due on the date the upcoming payment is due. Tell her she needs to sort it out with he boyfriend, but a payment for a lesser amount will not be accepted and you will inform whoever brings the payment of the full amount that is due, including the back rent.

Why are you involved in the midnight door slamming? Are the cops getting called? Neighbor's complaining?