All Forum Posts by: Katherine Earle

 Ignore him and do all the work, ITS YOUR property, screw him, Hey Mr Jones if you do not like the improvements, we are doing move. If this was Cleveland he would not say a word as the contractors would lock him in the closet while they work LOL JUST KIDDING, 

But it isn’t the end is it? You still have to deal with him. Not saying he is right to do any of this: was just trying to get a take on what his mindset might be. And don’t kid yourself, he doesn’t think the way you do and you shouldn’t expect him to…he isn’t in the situation of having a new lease and construction “voluntarily”: the building he had a sweetheart deal in was sold. Are you saying he used to be the handyman and favored tenant? Oy.

And almost no one thanks you for half of market, they just think in terms of their immediate situation getting worse. And half of market might actually be market with ongoing construction. Are we talking days, weeks, months? 
i would train yourself not to expect gratitude when you are trying to be fair. You won’t usually get it. 

The more dysfunctional someone is the less they can see the big picture and the likelier they are to lash out. I love the exaplmple of “can’t get to the laundry” it’s classic “I don’t have control over this and I’m angry” he has a right to be angry, just not to lash out.

I was trying to cover possibilities for readers, and most people actually dont do what you already did so bravo. Sounds like a reasonable person would have been satisfied. He isn’t reasonable and Given you did all that I would go formal and hard:

Notice on the door reiterating timelines and say you have issued instructions for contractors to stay within those limits and saying you have gotten reports of hostile action from him/tenants Say any further incidents will result in immediate consequences including up to an including reporting to law enforcement (restraining order?) Make it on formal stationary and openly  cc the contractor and an imaginary lawyer if you don’t have  one already. Have the letter say all complaints MUST be in writing to you at a specific email/address.

And I would certainly offer to let him out of the lease. “You aren’t happy I won’t hold you here even though you committed to 12 months and it’s January. If things calm down I can give you a good reference. Do you want to give notice?”

bet he quiets down.

Maybe a restraining order against the renter barring him from communicating or harassing or being within 150 feet of any construction personnel on the site- as a first step.

If it were my renter I would be thinking hard about turning the unit and getting someone in there that is not a pita.

You are running a business, and this customer is interfering with that business.

Good Luck!

So from his point of view:

Forced to sign a new lease, at an increase I presume? Or move out. AND his formerly quiet apartment is now a construction zone. AND his previous bad behavior didn’t seem to get called out, why would he think it was problematic?

I would be cranky too. He can’t treat your people poorly but taking a moment to think about it from his point of view might help. His life just got worse and you and your guys are causing it. 

Did you send a notice to tenants outlining the work to be done, times it would be done , timeline for completion and offering an avenue to deliver complaints if any? If you haven’t do so now (email probably best).

At the same time I would inform him that any hostility to the contractors will almost certainly delay the progress and increase his inconvenience, and that any lease renewal will be contingent upon a minimum level of civility. Even if u have sent a note I would do the above.

I would also reach out to other tenants and ask about their experience with the contractors/work. That way when he bi&es to the neighbors they have heard from you personally and he will know that and that you are responsive.

Do all this and see the reaction before any next steps. 

I would tell the tenant to leave your contractors alone and tell the contractors to use their cell phone to video record the tenant berating them so you can - if you choose to evict - have compelling evidence to show the judge.

I have been in your position and have dealt with pain in the (bleep) inherited tenants. One lady was so bad I literally hired a property manager to deal with her - and the tenant received a 30 day notice toward the end of her lease. 

@Katherine Earle

I am not aware of any state where a verbal commitment would ever hold up.

@Katherine Earle if she has a written month to month that should prevail.  Did you just say that she would be able to stay for a year if the month to month worked out?   

That is funny when they call and don't realize it is your property. I had one tenant with a domestic charge who tried to rent at another location with her boyfriend.