Posted by Dr. Phil on July 18, 2008 at 16:39:11:
she msut let Amazing Bill be the boss.
Need your help again, sorry. Another tenant. - Posted by Corine
Posted by Corine on July 11, 2008 at 13:30:44:
I’m trying to head back to CA and clean up my business here on the East Coast. I’ve become painfully aware that the rental market is very cyclical. What I mean is, spring time was great, now it’s very slow, and the winter months will be a real drag.
I’ve made many mistakes in the past with screening tenants as I have gone on instinct, and fear of vacancies. I know this theme keeps recurring with me, but keep in mind, I have 8 of them, and no sooner do I get a lid on one, then another problem occurs.
I rented this great new little house to this man I fondly call my dead beat in January of 2006. 2.5 years. This guy’s life is like watching “Death of a Salesman”. I have never seen such a cloud of bad luck follow anyone around.
I have been slack, beyond slack and I know I’m responsible for creating the situation. It was January when the house was vacant, and I always had the attitude that if people didn’t pay, I’d just evict. Well, I’m wiser now and in hind sight, I wouldn’t have leased to him. It’s actually very sad because he tries so hard. And he does eventually always come up with the rent, at some point. He’s never been on time, sometimes as late as after the 20th. That’s when I serve him his 3 days.
He works as a contractor, odd job to odd job. He’s tried getting hired on night shifts, but they only pay minimum wage. His wife is unable to work. She had a job at CVS when I took them on, and I figured, at lease they were both working. Two weeks after they were in, no more job.
He had his truck repossessed a few months ago and started using his wifeâ??s 15 year old jag to get around in. In calling for my rent…again…this month, he told me this car is now totaled. How are you going to get around to work I asked?
Lord. I know guys; his problems are not my problems.
He doesn’t even have the money to move into another place. Nothing. He can’t even scrape together for a 500. dollar apartment, and now, nothing to move his stuff.
I’m thinking I have to give him his 30 day notice and get him out. It’s only a very short matter of time before he can’t continue this and I don’t want to be 3,000 miles away when it happens.
But even if I give him his 30 days, what if he stays on after that? Then I do have to evict, right? And how’s he going to move…and where is he going to move to? He has NO MONEY.
Don’t criticize me; I made this blunder a long time ago. I would not repeat the same…well, no; I’m still f------ up.
I always give people the benefit of the doubt.
Business. I am running a business. I AM RUNNING A BUSINESS. If I say it over and over, I’ll get it.
But practically speaking, what do I do in this situation.
Hope I’m not warring out my rescue me points.
Remember your weaknesses - Posted by Natalie-VA
Posted by Natalie-VA on July 14, 2008 at 16:19:57:
Hi Corine,
Remember that your weakness is dealing directly with these people. You need to hire an eviction service or attorney to do it for you. Do not try and “help” this guy out. I tell my tenants at the beginning, “If you need help paying the rent, call your friends and family. I am not your friend and not your family.”
Stop communication with him immediately and have someone else take care of it for you. That’s what a good business person would do.
Best wishes.
–Natalie
Re: Need your help again, sorry. Another tenant. - Posted by Ed
Posted by Ed on July 13, 2008 at 09:00:22:
Corine, a couple serious suggestions:
-
You have to get that tenant out of the house, somehow. Possibly offer a positive incentive, such as offer to give him $200 gratis if he’s out in 72 hours and the place is clean. Then if that doesn’t work, you have to start eviction procedures. A 100% guaranteed rule with tenants is, once they are late with rent one time, they will be late again. Period, no exceptions to that rule, that always happens. So no matter what you say, or what he says from this point on, he will forever be late. So you have to get him out.
-
Long-term, consider looking for and hiring a property mgr for at least one of your properties. One advantage of paying a good prop mgr (notice I say a good one) is you can relax a little more, catch a breath of fresh air, and see how a pro does it. You sound like a person who genuinely cares for other people. But that, and being a good landlord, often are like oil and water, they don’t mix. So for at least one of your properties, consider ‘screening’ yourself behind a pro at this, and just watch and learn from them. Then, over time, do the same to some or all of your other rentals, if your cash flow permits. Interview property mgrs diligently - you’re hiring on someone to work for you - so look for them very carefully.
You also mentioned going from the East Coast to California - not clear whether you are just traveling on business, or moving permanently. But if you will be across the country, all the more reason to consider a property mgr.
Remember your most important assets are your health and your emotional sanity. Don’t abandon them in a futile tail chase at bad tenants. Good luck.
Before reading the other posts… - Posted by Rich-CA
Posted by Rich-CA on July 12, 2008 at 20:19:41:
First, I would make an excuse to get inside the house to see the condition. Replacing the furnace filter, checking the drains and some such routine maintenance comes to mind. This will tell you just how bad the situation is. People with no money destroy property because they have no value for it in their world view. Sometimes this is not the case, but you need to know if there should be a sense of urgency.
Second, I would start the eviction process with the very next rent date. Tell him he needs to borrow from relatives, get on Section 8, whatever it takes or he’s out within the next eviction cycle starting with the 3 day notice and ending up with the Sheriff (or however your locality handles removal of holdover tenants).
There always is a place for him to go. Even if its a shelter or a neighborhood that is so bad no background check is run.
Start TODAY.
Re: Need your help again, sorry. Another tenant. - Posted by Joe
Posted by Joe on July 11, 2008 at 15:24:16:
My advice to you would be to sell all of your rental properties and invest in cd’s.
Re: Need your help again, sorry. Another tenant. - Posted by Ken
Posted by Ken on July 11, 2008 at 14:24:46:
Forget about section 8,that takes time.You do not need to give him 30 days.Iam in NY and we start with a 3 day notice and proceed from there.What state are you in,maybe someone here can be more specific but if you do not know the procedure hire an attorney and evict now
Re: Need your help again, sorry. Another tenant. - Posted by Dave T
Posted by Dave T on July 11, 2008 at 13:57:22:
How about unemployment, for himself and his spouse?
Social Security disability for the wife (if she is truly unable to work, she must be disabled, right?)?
How about Section 8 housing assistance until he gets back on his feet? There are church groups and other charitable groups that would help with one month’s rent.
I agree that you need to be less of a softie, but you can also point this guy in the right direction for help even if he does not stay as your renter.
Re: Need your help again, sorry. Another tenant. - Posted by Corine
Posted by Corine on July 13, 2008 at 10:07:18:
I agree with you Ed. I’m moving back to CA after having lived in Myrtle Beach almost three years. I moved here to be close to my parents, father in Charleston. He’s a transplant there also. I don’t like living in the South, bottom line. Donâ??t like their work ethic, donâ??t like their ethics, period! Folks, buyer beware out here. Iâ??ve worked for a C-21 office locally, I know what Iâ??m talking about. Oh my God. You have to be a sharp consumer these days.
I’m a RE Broker in SC and CA, so I do know a few things and the reason I’ve always just managed my stuff is because I’ve seen what the management companies provide. It’s scarry here in Myrtle Beach. Youâ??re lucky to have someone return your call four days from initiation, if at all.
Iâ??m too soft. Always have been, except when one owes me money. No one owes me anthing. All ledgers balance, except my horror in my condo in San Diego, the one thatâ??s not paying her rent increase because I havenâ??t replaced damaged hardwood floor caused by her negligence. I basically feel sheâ??s stealing from me, and if sheâ??s ok with that, good for her. I donâ??t believe anything in life goes unchecked. Karma. Instant karma in fact. I like my philosophy, it works for me. Ever notice how when you think you get away with something, down the road, something really bad happensâ?¦itâ??s just not worth it. Itâ??s Sunday and I seem to be preaching. Sorry.
Management. I have such a hard time trusting and letting go, thatâ??s the real issue, and I guess Iâ??m a control freak also.
I love what you said about emotional sanity and my health. Spot on.
I will try seeking management again as I would like a break from it so I can focus on earningâ?¦
Thank you to all the serious, reasonable responses. I’m grateful to you all.
I always bounce things off of my mom, whom knows nothing about RE, but has life experience and is truly a spiritual person. Whenever I’m stumped, she says, why don’t you ask the investors on the internet. This is a woman who doesn’t know how to turn on a computer, and doesn’t want to learn either.
Thanks
Re: Before reading the other posts… - Posted by Corine
Posted by Corine on July 13, 2008 at 08:44:55:
He’s a nice church going man and has already borrowed from the church to meet his rent in the past. I think everything in his life is exhausted.
I’m insane, I actually thought for two minutes last night until I called someone who talked some sense into me, I was actually going to loan him a couple thousand dollars to buy an, say old Toyota mini pickup…just so he can work.
It’s just too far gone. Like he said, and I believe you create your own luck in this world, but last conversation I had with him, he said, “I’m surprised I haven’t had a heart attack over this stress”. Great, obviously I’m a compassionate person or I wouldn’t have worked with him so long. That’s all I need.
I know what I have to do. I’m going to see him this afternoon and see how I can help him vacate. I’ll also look into social services for him. The fact that he hasn’t already done so leads me to believe he doesn’t know how. Nor do I, but will figure it out.
Thanks Rich.
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BEST advice so far for Corine - Posted by steve
Posted by steve on July 13, 2008 at 09:55:54:
you do not seem to be the landlord type, based on the posts you keep making.
either do as Joe suggests or get a management company.