Learning as I go

[James H.]

So today I picked up rent plus some past due rent from last month and a late fee. When I told the tenant last month that he was going to be charged a late fee, he looked at me like he couldn't believe I was being so unfair. Anyways, I expected trouble when I went to collect today.

First he asked if I was really going to charge him the late fee and said that I should not charge it since he put some sod down in part of the front yard. Well, I never asked him to do such a thing and since he's a landscaper, I'm sure he got it free. Anyways, not my problem.

I also informed him that they would be depositing rent at the bank from now on: It pisses me off that I know he gets paid on Friday, but he was being a prick and wouldn't let me pick the rent up until the 1st, which just happened to interrupt my three day weekend. Anyways, weekend work comes with the territory, but I think this was intentional on his part. He proceded to act like the bank was leagues away from his house all the way in down town Fort Worth. Well, down town is only 5 minutes from the property and there is a branch within a mile of the property anyways.

Then it goes downhill a little:

He tells me his lawn mower is broke and wants to know if I am going to mow his yard jnow or get him a new lawn mower. It finally gets under my skin as I was expecting him to pull some crap - and then he did. My answer was:

"since you have the money to buy the new car that you have in your driveway (he bought second used car recently), then you can afford to buy a new lawn mower. The lease is clear that it is your responsiblity to maintain the yard."

The he tries telling me about how the landlord next door mows the yard, he can't afford a new machine and is shrigging his shoulders like there is nothing hew will be able to to about it, yadayadayada. I told him if he doesn't like the terms of the contract he will have to find somewhere else to live, that I may evict him if he allows the grass to grow more that 12 inches. Now that I have cooled down, I have decided that I will hire the lawn care out if necessary to keep clear of code violations and charge him for it. If he doesn't pay it will come out of his deposit.

My mistake was: Engaging in the show down, making the comment about his car as it is irrelevant to the contract and showing that I was irritated, which was his goal. I have been happy with these tenants for the most part, but they may be turning on me. We will see what happens. I don't like the open challenge that he gave me and I like even less that I engaged. But I see that I am learning about landlording, my tenant and myself.

[Joe Bertolino]

Why are you collecting rent in person? Get set up with ACH or the Square to accept CC's. Then you don't have to see them and be drawn into this stuff. 90% of my communication with my tenants is via email or text and if we are talking in person, it will be a one way conversation that they probably will not enjoy.