Former Tenant wants back

Long-term tenant (over 7 years at the time) moved out a few years ago to live in her married BF's rental. Over time that house was sold, then his main house, he finally left his wife and now they need a place to live. She has asked several times about our project house, an ADU DH is working on. It's not ready, it won't be ready for a month or so.

Trouble is I don't really care for this tenant and was not sorry when she moved. She has control issues, she has respect and entitlement issues. She is in her late 50's, maybe even 60, so it's her personality, not a youth thing. Another troublesome fact is that her BF is our go-to yard and special projects guy. He is in his late 60's himself, is somewhat of a know-it-all himself, but invaluable for random projects.

I don't want to rent to them, but I don't want to lose his services either. When they asked, we just told them it won't be ready for quite a while but they will know when it is: he mows the grass! I did tell them that first dibs went to former occupant but actually we don't want him either - we have ANOTHER former tenant whom we would much prefer.

Small town issues: they will know if we pass them over for him and that he is not the former occupant.

Ideas? --70.158.xxx.xx

Former Tenant wants back (by MC [PA]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 9:04 AM
Message:

Maybe the "don't want to mix business" approach? Conflict of interest if he is your go to guy. Maybe they will find a new place place ready now-where are they now? --73.230.xxx.xx

Former Tenant wants back (by myob [GA]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 9:05 AM
Message:

we don't rent to people we do business with. Family either. --99.103.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by DJ [VA]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 9:12 AM
Message:

It's our policy to not rent to people we hire to work for us. You are just such a great lawn guy that we would never want to lose your services/stop hiring you.

I'm sure you'll find a nice place before this is ready anyway ( = don't wait around hoping for us to change our mind.) --70.160.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 9:13 AM
Message:

Why not just be honest and tell them the truth which is what you wrote here? If you lose his services, well, find another one. It is his loss and not yours.

--68.63.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 9:21 AM
Message:

Roy the way the conversation developed over a matter of weeks we just sort of dodged the issue, thinking they would surely have a place before we were done! However it appears she has only found a TEMPORARY place and he is staying with his son, so they are still wanting our place when it is ready. There is a real lack of pet-friendly affordable housing around here.

It's just awkward all around.

We should have said something when they first brought it up, and didn't, and now our wussiness is coming back to bite. --50.82.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by Great Action [NC]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 10:20 AM
Message:

The landlord is in charge, not the tenant.

The landlord is in charge, not the maintenance guy. --65.188.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 10:42 AM
Message:

I know. Just awkward. --50.82.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 10:48 AM
Message:

We all deal with awkward situations. My most awkward situation was when I had to type a letter to a house full of female tenants telling them what they can and can not flush down a toilet. Not had a sewer drain blockage since then either. --68.63.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 10:57 AM
Message:

LOL! I have that list in my lease. With certain words bolded and italicized. --50.82.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by LisaFL [FL]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 11:04 AM
Message:

Just tell her you have other plans for the unit. I would be honest with him and tell him you have other plans for the unit, will not be renting it to her but you don’t want it to affect your business relationship with him so if that is a problem for him in any way (as in he doesn’t feel comfortable working for you anymore) tell him to just let you know so you can plan ahead.

Being honest is better than keeping her hopes up. --216.186.xxx.xx

Former Tenant wants back (by LisaFL [FL]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 11:07 AM
Message:

Sorry- I just realized he wants to move in too. I’d still be honest with him. It may affect the working relationship but it’s up to you which you value more.

I’d find someone else for the work rather than rent to someone I don’t care for. That’s an easy one. --216.186.xxx.xx

Former Tenant wants back (by Dave [MO]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 11:19 AM
Message:

I don’t rent to family, friends or anyone who works for me. I would explain that to them and if they don’t understand, it’s on them, not you.

--173.216.xxx.xx

Former Tenant wants back (by Sorta Blonde [CA]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 11:28 AM
Message:

That 'little voice' in the back of your head is shouting to just say NO. Friends, family, previous renters you are happy to have gone. Sometimes you just have to listen to yourself and keep repeating, "ME me me me", I am in charge, it's all about ME". Good luck. --72.199.xx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by PG [SC]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 11:40 AM
Message:

Go talk to the BF - bring it up as casual conversation and go from there.

I know what you mean by go-to yard and special projects guy in the small town - really hard to find guys like that. --184.20.xxx.xx

Former Tenant wants back (by Oregon Woodsmoke [ID]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 12:27 PM
Message:

You have to tell them no, so that they can start looking for a place. Right now, all they are hearing is that they have the place when it is ready.

You are both causing problems for yourself and being unkind to them.

--98.146.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by Salernitana [CA]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 12:30 PM
Message:

The BF probably might need the work no matter what happens. I'm guessing that the controlling ex-tenant bosses the BF around, and he dimly plays along and does everything for her. You can just use the fact that you're the paying customer unless he's got the monopoly in the small town as the best. He's in his late 60s, and someone younger might just swoop in to take his job if he or she give you any grief. You got this. It's your place.

Take care and please share how you figure out a resolution. --73.93.xx.xx

Former Tenant wants back (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 12:35 PM
Message:

I think he is the one in control. He strung her along as the "other woman" for YEARS.

He doesn't have a monopoly - it's just that we know him, he has the equipment to hand (bobcat, tractor, etc.) and a helper who will do the actual hard work when required. And he doesn't overcharge us. --50.82.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 1:06 PM
Message:

I would tell him no dont rent to people who work for me,if he quits so what lawn guys are easy to replace. --104.229.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by melinda [MD]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 2:22 PM
Message:

We are going through a similar situation. Our roofing guy just got his Sec. 8 voucher. He is interested in renting one of our vacant houses and we really do not want him in that house. Touchy situation that I still do not know how to handle. Can't tell him that we don't rent to our workers because he knows that we do. not sure how we are going to handle this..... --24.233.xxx.xx

Former Tenant wants back (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 3:57 PM
Message:

Yea, easy to say too much in casual conversations. Our good people make our homes look great then want to move in.

-MANAGER not OWNER helps A LOT.

-can you quickly get it rented to "the person who was ahead of them" (no app turned in yet from this couple??)

-we don't rent to self employed

-or be up front with him about no family or friends. My guys seem to understand. No telling what may happen in their relationship when they actually move in together!

Side note: when posters ask here about renting to family the replies are overwhelmingly "Do it". I am usually the lone poster saying "Don't". Interesting to see so many people reply to THIS question with "No family or friends."

Good luck and wear your sunscreen!

BRAD --73.102.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by RB [MI]) Posted on: Aug 7, 2020 7:45 PM
Message:

Right on Smoke.

Sounds like pie hole remorse. --199.192.xxx.x

Former Tenant wants back (by Lana [IN]) Posted on: Aug 8, 2020 4:26 PM
Message:

I have had two former tenants want a unit several years after moving out. One I took back gladly, and the other one I was pleased to tell "Hxxl No!" --216.23.xxx.xx

Former Tenant wants back (by Still Learning [NH]) Posted on: Aug 9, 2020 9:18 AM
Message:

Maybe let them know you were recently talking with a few landlords that were sharing stories about a similar situation gone bad where they had to evict and lost their best go to person. The more you think about it you don’t want to put the working relationship in jeopardy so you wanted to make sure to let them know so they can find a different place but you are always happy to be a reference for him with his business. Sometimes, not always you can position it that you are really sorry, cost it with a valid reason, throw in a positive and they actually thank you. --73.17.xx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Aug 9, 2020 9:42 AM
Message:

I am renting it. I gave you a holding fee at the last MRLL convention. It's rented. Now our arrangement may fall thru all of that should align with the next application you do want. Just keep me update. ;) --99.203.xx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Aug 9, 2020 12:52 PM
Message:

Haha, Plenty! --50.82.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by mike [CA]) Posted on: Aug 13, 2020 3:09 PM
Message:

since it's harder to find a good tradesman than a good tenant i'd simply tell them that you have recently instituted a new rule about doing business with friends and related parties like the handyman. tell them you've had some relationships ruined and have an ironclad rule --66.27.xxx.xxx

Former Tenant wants back (by mike [CA]) Posted on: Aug 13, 2020 3:14 PM
Message:

melinda [MD] on the section 8 simply tell him that you only do month to month tenancies. the last time i looked section 8 required a minimum 6 month lease. i've tried to help out sec 8 types before and the program is a PITA and collides with my set practices. i do think you should do recon before you deny based solely on sec 8...there might be new program rules about leases and also some fair housing statutes to be cautious of. the recent state by state mandates about landlording/evictions/collecting has me being VERY closed mouth when dealing with tenants. --66.27.xxx.xxx

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Former Tenant wants back

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