Quote from @Brian Kloft:
This whole discussion and the responses on here are part of the reason we have problems like these. People have forgotten about just being friendly people. Yes you have to make sure that you are not being taken advantage of, but you also need to be nice and friendly to others as you will get a lot more out of it. Tenant or just neighbor, someone asking you to print off a document for them is not a big deal. (Assuming it is not something like a 100 page document.) If one of my tenants in my office building asked me to print something off I would be fine with it. When I had my management company managing 400+ houses if a tenant stopped by and asked us to print something off I would not have any problem with it. (I know it happened, or at least copies so it is not theoretical.) Even if a homeless person were to open my office door and ask me to make a copy of something because they have to turn it in to social services but they want a copy of it, I would be happy to make a copy for them. As long as it doesn't become a regular thing such as every day or two asking you to print, then they would be taking advantage of you. If it is not going to significantly impact you then help them. Perhaps sometimes you might help someone too much, but that is the price of being a helpful person; but hopefully that means that some of the people you helped turn around and help others as well. That makes the world a better place. Perhaps printing that document helps them out while they are in a bind that allows them to turn in that paper that gets them that better job making more money, or win a scholarship, or.... You never know what a very small and simple act of kindness can lead to.
I know some of you are going to think that I am some free loving, hippie but I am far from that. I am a business owner and real estate investor that likes to make my money, and that often means enforcing contracts and lease provisions. However I try not to forget about being a human being and that others are human beings too.
No, I think this is a good point. It's probably something I would ordinarily do if it were easy but part of it for me is that it's actually very inconvenient. I don't have my computer and printer set up to access it easily. I don't have a home office the way most people do. I don't even have Internet access besides my phone so email wouldn't be possible either. Also just the fact it was in the evening and I was already down for the count. This might seem strange to most but I just don't have a home office the way many do these days.
Though it's true that she didn't know that. She might think it was an easy request. So maybe she didn't realize how big a favor it actually was that she was asking.
ok, I am all for treating people with kindness and helping out when we can. But I just began to feel this person was just starting to ask so much of me to the point of imposing in an inconsiderate way. Maybe she doesn't realize and I just need to explain my situation.
I agree with the people talking about boundaries. As a new landlord that is the advice I think I most need. The way I see it now is that these are above all business relationships. Businesses have set hours and a specific service they provide and though are almost always gracious with their clients, the relationships also have a professional distance and clear roles.
