Bleeding Heart Syndrome

[Todd Handriegh]

Hi all

Started landlording in 2018 and I have grown to 3 properties since then.  I have never evicted anyone, or even terminated a lease, despite a few situations that warranted it.  

As you may predict, that is my weakness.  I am having issues confronting tenants on issues and putting my foot down, and the thought of handing someone a termination notice gives me an ulcer.  I fully realize this is the wrong business for a person with too much compassion.  My landlord friend calls it "bleeding heart" syndrome and just shakes his head at me.  He's been in the business 30 years and has seen it all.  He doesn't bat an eye at evicting people for almost any reason.  The way he views people and their issues is quite...desensitized.

I'm looking for any words of wisdom on how to evolve mentally to where I am comfortable doing whats right for my business without losing sleep at night.  What do you tell yourself when you are forced to put your bottom line over someone's ability to put a roof over their heads?  I imagine its the same for most managers that are tasked with terminating employees.  I'm sure they could give me advice as well on how to cope with feeling guilty about this.

I need to learn how to get over this if I am going to be successful.  Appreciate your input.