Tennants being rude/unreasonable during move out

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Tennants being rude/unreasonable during move out

Stephen Sun
Walnut, CA · Member since 2009 · 7 posts · 0 votes

Hello All,

I have a question to ask the landlords out here: Would you inform the next landlord of rude, unreasonable behavior during moveout if you gave them a glowing reference before?

- Background -

I have a tennant who was good (kept to themselves, was fairly clean, respectful, etc) but had a pet who caused alot of damages to the property. Once the tenant realized that they could not handle the pet, they gave the pet away to another home and started to look for another location to live in. I had provided a solid and glowing reference to the new landlord.

Things were cordial until we were doing a pre-walkthrough of the damages, and I provided estimated costs (based on contractor quotes for work, and based on homedepot.com for items needing replacement). This is when the tennant started sending nasty emails with namecalling, sarcastic/snide remarks, etc saying i'm trying to rip them off, I'm being unreasonable, etc. Written quotes for everything, and I said if they could find the same quality of work for cheaper, please refer me. Furthermore, there were temper tantrums thrown when i tried to speak to them in person. I've done my best to remain polite and professional - but they're really pushing my buttons.

They move out this weekend. The deposit will cover the damages and quoted contractor work so I'm not out money by any means. I'm thinking about letting the next landlord know about such behavior after the tennants have moved out and surrendered the keys and changed the locks. I wanted to get thoughts of people on this forum.

Let me know. Thanks!

-sunfire4jc

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Samantha Lunzer
Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2012 · 13 posts · 1 vote
13y

I definitely think you should inform the landlord. I would want to be informed/forewarned of tenant behavior like that. While that's the only incident where you experienced this person being rude it only goes to show that the minute this person doesn't get their way they become awful so it's good to know that in case something goes wrong for this landlord before the tenant decides to move out.

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  • Stephen Sun
    OP
    Walnut, CA · Member since 2009 · 7 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Pardon the any grammatical/spelling errors or word omissions in the above post, i wrote it real fast and had trigger happy fingers :x

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  • Samantha Lunzer
    Saint Paul, MN · Member since 2012 · 13 posts · 1 vote
    13y

    I definitely think you should inform the landlord. I would want to be informed/forewarned of tenant behavior like that. While that's the only incident where you experienced this person being rude it only goes to show that the minute this person doesn't get their way they become awful so it's good to know that in case something goes wrong for this landlord before the tenant decides to move out.

    1Reply
  • Terry HershbergerPro Member
    Investor · Nipomo, CA · Member since 2011 · 227 posts · 76 votes
    13y

    Stephen, I would definitely tell the future landlords that do a reference check on those tenants, however your second to last line sums it up. I would make sure they have moved out first, returned the keys, and have done lock change. I would expect that from a landlord if I was the one calling to check on a tenant. Then the next landlord can decide if that's the type of tenant they want.

    1Reply
  • Doug S.
    Chicago, IL · Member since 2012 · 22 posts · 3 votes
    13y

    Hi Stephen,

    Sounds like a difficult situation. It is in your best interest to wait until your tenant moves out before saying anything to the tenant's new landlord.

    Since you have already provided the tenant's future landlord with a 'glowing reference' then I think you should definitely let the landlord know about the recent events (after your tenant has moved out).

    The new landlord may be able to avoid the situation you are in now by explaining to the tenant up front what the 'security deposit' may and will be used for, and to explain the cost of labor and material for property neglect such as baseboard repair, broken closet doors, cleaning, etc. It would also help the new landlord if they explained that the security deposit, if it needs to be used, will not go into their pocket - will only be used to repair the property.

    Thanks,

    Doug

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  • Stephen Sun
    OP
    Walnut, CA · Member since 2009 · 7 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Thank you all so much for your feedback. I want to go with my gut, but something inside of me told me to run it by a few people to confirm my feeling. Most of my other friends have also agreed to inform the next landlord after they move out.

    I'm really glad that I can reach out to this community for help - again, I really appreciate all your input!

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  • James H.
    Investor · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 450 votes
    13y
    Originally posted by Stephen Sun:
    They move out this weekend. The deposit will cover the damages and quoted contractor work so I'm not out money by any means.

    -sunfire4jc

    Isn't this all that really matters?

    0Reply
  • Doug S.
    Chicago, IL · Member since 2012 · 22 posts · 3 votes
    13y

    Hey Brian,

    I think I see what you are saying. It definitely makes sense to just look after your best interests. However, if you are on the other end (you, as landlord, receive stellar recommendation for a possible tenant) and end up leasing to difficult tenant that doesn't willingly pay for property damage they caused, then that may matter to you.

    You should do what is in your best interest first, and if possible, do what is in the best interest of fellow landlords also. Treat people how you would like to be treated....including other landlords.

    Doug

    1Reply
  • James H.
    Investor · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 450 votes
    13y

    Doug,

    My point is, why worry about it? Yeah, if the next landlord down the line calls for a reference I would just describe them. I wouldn't describe them as "stellar" if they were dicks. I might say something like this:

    "They paid rent on time, but they messed the place up with an animal. They were mad about loosing their depsosit, but other than that, they were fine. Their deposit covered the damage."

    Let me ask you, if you got this description as a potential landlord when screening new applicants, would it really be preparing you for anything? Nope. Why? Because they are renters and it is not uncommon for renters to be pissed when they loose their deposit.

    The situation sounds like SO-not-a-big-deal.

    1Reply
  • Rob K.
    Investor · Southeast, MI · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    13y

    This is why I don't even call the current landlord. The most important question to ask the previous landlord is, "Would you rent to them again?" The current landlord hasn't seen how they left the place and, like others have said, could give you false information anyway.

    I would charge these clowns the maximum from their deposit. Also, if it were me, I wouldn't bother to call the new landlord. It's too late for him to do anything anyway. When the next landlord calls you, that's the time to tell the story of what happened.

    0Reply
  • Ann Bellamy
    Lender · Tyngsboro, MA · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    13y

    I disagree with not telling the landlord that you previously gave the glowing reference to.

    1. Landlords helping landlords avoid difficult situations is very much a community helping each other. Similar to Bigger Pockets.
    2. It is not uncommon for a current landlord to give a glowing reference on a terrible tenant just to get rid of them. That new landlord, if he runs into issues, is going to think you are one of those lying landlords only looking out for himself. Not good for your reputation in the community. Landlords are a close knit bunch and word will spread.

    It's too late for you to retract, your tenant is probably already signed with that new landlord, but once the tenant is gone and locks changed, then call the new landlord and give him the heads up. At least he'll be aware and able to head off this behavior before it starts.

    0Reply
  • Bienes Raices
    Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes
    13y
    Originally posted by Brian Hoyt:
    Doug,

    My point is, why worry about it? Yeah, if the next landlord down the line calls for a reference I would just describe them. I wouldn't describe them as "stellar" if they were dicks. I might say something like this:

    "They paid rent on time, but they messed the place up with an animal. They were mad about loosing their depsosit, but other than that, they were fine. Their deposit covered the damage."

    Let me ask you, if you got this description as a potential landlord when screening new applicants, would it really be preparing you for anything? Nope. Why? Because they are renters and it is not uncommon for renters to be pissed when they loose their deposit.

    The situation sounds like SO-not-a-big-deal.

    I'm not seeing the big deal here either.

    I had a reference call me back about someone with a caveat that the person was messy and seemed to move a lot. I ignored the warning and the person broke the lease three months after they moved in. The new LL may be so far into the process that they may not care about your warning. And it is the tenants' right to get upset about losing the deposit (even if it was their fault). That seems like a reaction to be expected (albeit it's a bit immature).

    And unless the future LL is very new at the game, they should know that the most recent reference is useless. They should have called the refs further back (if they exist).

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