Lack of Sympathy

[Anthony Gayden]

I started this thread because someone called me cruel for putting a tenant in eviction proceedings during the holiday season. This is after this tenant has paid me late for the last 6 months straight, and owes me over $1000.

I feel as though my past experiences have made me less sympathetic to my lower income tenants. I was there, not that long ago. I worked full-time at Wal-mart for 7 years. I lived in an inner city area, and struggled to get by. I was in debt up to my ears. After I finally left Wal-mart for a better job, I suffered a devastating lay off in the middle of the recession, and was unemployed for nearly 6 months. 

Throughout all of that, I never missed a rent payment, it was the first bill I paid every month. The most important.

I have very little sympathy with them, especially when my rents are below market levels, and I see them driving cars newer than mine. I see them talking on the latest smart phone, and I see their trash can is full of empty beer cans and cigarette packages. They are my neighbors, but they don't know I own the place since I use a property manager. 

They beg the PM to ask me for leniency, and I always say no. Is this normal? Am I just being a jerk?