All Forum Posts by: Alexandra Joy

Thank you all for the replies!  I agree with you all.  I want to be neighborly as well as be a good landlord.  I think this tenant is starting to come across as high maintenance and this was just another thing piled on top of other things.

Nearly every day she has asked me to do something.  I know it's my job to maintain the house and property and I thought she was going to be a great tenant so I was always quick to respond and do what she asked.  

But then it was things like she lost her key and asked I come immediately to give her my spare.  I made her a copy and didn't make an issue of it.  Then this request to print something out in the evening when I was already settled in for the night relaxing.  Asking me to watch her two large dogs.  think it's just starting to get too much and I am afraid she is going to be demanding and maybe has read me as a soft touch.

In the past two weeks I also cut all the grass, installed an AC, and bought a second fan, at her request.  Hardly got a thank you.

Anyway she just informed me she might be moving soon (it's a month to month lease) so maybe we are finding it's just not a match.  I am trying to be accommodating and helping but I don't want to be at someone's beck and call like their personal servant.  I agree, favors are fine to ask but it's also important to respect people's time and not ask too much.  

This is my first rental property I am managing myself.  I have had one before but had a PM.  In this case, the rental is next door so my tenant is also my next door neighbor.  I am finding it complicates the relationship because I want to be friendly and neighborly yet also need to set boundaries as I know landlords need to be firm sometimes.  But I think I have been very responsive to her requests thus far and have been polite and professionally friendly.

The other night she texted me in the evening and asked me if I would print a document out for her from a USB drive.  I was kind of taken a back about this and didn't reply until several hours later (politely told her I am sorry that I can't help with that).  I was thinking to myself that is a personal favor, and has nothing to do with my responsibility as a landlord and I was shocked she would think it was appropriate to ask.  Also it's just unwise to put any unknown USB into one's computer.

Maybe I am being a jerk and should be more willing to help out with non landlord duties?  Am I overreacting or would you have found her request inappropriate as well?