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Any landlords here?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have a dilemma re: a property we are renting. The tenants have regularly been very, very late paying rent, and only after I have had to nudge them repeatedly. After having enough of this. I gave them notice that they need to move out by the end of this month. With all the coronavirus upheaval happening, I have a feeling they have not secured a new place to live. I’m not even sure the courts will process an eviction notice right now, and I’m not sure I’m stern enough to kick them out at this critical time.

My sister and I own the property together, and she’s feeling much less charitable than I am (she is also more dependent on the income, and less personally involved since she is in another state, so it’s understandable). The tenant messaged me and they want to talk today — I’m quite sure it’s to say they want to stay longer.

I’m so sick and tired of the ordeal (it has been a drain on me since November). Any words of wisdom or suggestions?

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14 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

MsMary

Veteran

Yikes. Our courts are putting a hold on evictions for the moment, and I feel like at this point it's best to be a good human being to the extent possible. If I were in your exact situation I would negotiate the best arrangement possible and try to get the tenant feeling positive and grateful towards me rather than disgruntled.

FYI my husband and I both own rental properties and we have already decided we will carry the tenants as long as necessary and possible if it comes to that.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I hear you, Mary!

We have been generous for months.
November and December rent were not paid until January! And each month since then was paid late. There are other circumstances I won’t go into here, but suffice to say it’s a mess, and not of my making. I’ve been managing property for my whole life, either helping my parents or on my own, and I’ve never had a tenant who paid so late.

It looks like our president called for evictions to be suspended for now anyway, so I’m pretty much resigned to floating these people for now. I would be fine with it if they were promptly-paying tenants during normal times. Sigh. I know this is a total first world problem, but my sister is quite a bit older than I am and this impacts her more than me.

nemosmom

Veteran

Ugh, what a difficult situation, Janet! The coronavirus craziness just adds to the stress, I'm sure.

We have rental properties (residential and commercial) so I feel your frustration. Is there any way you could negotiate a reduction in rent on a month-to-month basis, and maybe a payment plan on owed back rent, until some normalcy returns to the world?

MTM would allow you to give them 30-days' notice to get out later, hopefully after this virus madness slows down. And a rent reduction could be a win/win for you both - the tenant doesn't end up on the street, and your sister still has SOME income... At least for now, until things settle down....

I know you are sick of the ordeal, but what are the odds you would find new tenants right now, anyway?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes, NM, exactly to your last point. We were actually starting to talk about selling the house (very difficult and emotional, but the market is — was — good, but now who knows?).

My sister and I have been talking since I posted this and we’ve decided to do something like the arrangement you describe. First I’m going to see what it is the tenant asks for or proposes. But I suspect we will do something along those lines.

nemosmom

Veteran

Good luck, Janet! Keep me posted!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Have these tenants paid the full rent every month, although late? If so, this is actually a good sign. It's the people that don't pay at all for 6 months, that are the bigger challenge. I know someone who hasn't paid her rent in years, she's in and out of the hospital and her landlord feels badly for her, so zero rent since June 2019.

Anonymous

Oh boy, Janet, what a headache. Mr. Xtabay and I have some tenants who are also chronically late with their payments. Unfortunately, they are part of the gig economy and this compounds the problem right now. But we're going to ride out the situation for the time being, and then see where we stand. They are actually nice people and we are trying to be understanding, but the constant problem of keeping them current on their payments is pretty stressful. I'm afraid to even check on their credit scores! Glad to hear you're keeping the lines of communication open to see what might be worked out.

Jane

Veteran

I am sorry that you are having this stress. I wondered if you might be able to appoint an agent to work on your behalf, to a managed exit, so that you have an end to where you are and by placing someone in between you and the tenant, it might help to alleviate the stress. It would cost money, but it might be worth it on this occasion perhaps.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Jane, it’s a very good thought. I have considered employing a property manager in the past. If we get through this Covid19 era and decide to continue renting the house (although to new tenants), I may go that route. Thank you!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I agree an agent in between (in the future) would be better. If I were a landlord I think I would not be asking anyone to leave their home in the midst of this - I might ask for *some* type of payment, even if it's not payment in full. Hey, maybe they have toilet paper!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Texstyle, I’d knock their rent in half for a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a can of Lysol! And our paper towels are running low. Not helping matters that my stepson is staying with us for a few days (love him dearly but it’s an extra mouth to feed, more to clean up, and constant worry about another human contact, plus he’s having a bipolar episode). All of our carefully purchased supplies are now getting stretched between three people instead of two.

But yeah, I’m going to take whatever payment the tenants can make. One of them works in an “essential business” so there is at least some income there, but not enough to pay rent even in good times, much less now.

April

Veteran

Janet, I have some thoughts if you'd like to PM me. I am currently incubating an idea for something I'm calling "ethical landlording." It sounds like that is exactly what you're trying to accomplish, so maybe we could put our heads together.

My basic idea is that people end up evicted mainly because the landlord can't actually afford to keep the property going in the absence of payment, not because landlords are bad people. Likewise, tenants don't pay not because they are shiftless deadbeats, but because something gets in the way. They are living with an addiction; they needed medicine and live in a state that didn't expand Medicaid; they are supporting extended family who would otherwise be on the street. I'm sure there are also some people who just don't pay because they just don't pay, but by and large people want to honor their commitments, unless there is some shame attached to whatever is getting in the way.

What to do about that is the part you should PM me about if you're not too exhausted by the situation. It is exhausting to be required to carry people you don't have some personal responsibility for, that is totally understandable.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

April, that’s a very thoughtful approach to the dilemma.

If there were a reason such as medical expenses, etc, for a tenant’s ability to pay, that would be one thing. I don’t want to go into details, but there is some behavior and insight I have learned about from neighbors that leads me to believe that we as landlords are being lied to and manipulated in this particular case. Sad to say, trust has been broken because I have given them numerous chances. I’m a generous person but will not be taken advantage of.

I don’t know how or when we will manage to extricate ourselves from the situation, but for the time being, I suppose I will just need to be patient. The good thing is, that as far as I can tell, they are taking care of the place.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Yes supplies are worrisome right now for sure. Taking on an extra person is even tougher! My MIL has 2 rental properties as part of her regular income and I'm wondering how that's going to go. I know one very long term renter is on a fixed steady income so will they take advantage of her is the big question. Only time will tell I guess. Wishing for the best in all circumstances.