Tenant has some "mental stability issues". Family promised us that when we rented to him that they would check on him and watch things.

They did in the beginning.... and then it slowed and slowed and then stopped.

He was left to do what he wanted when he wanted..... making bad choices and ending up in jail.

He gave notice to move, we accepted, then he said he was not moving and I told the sister that it was not an option that we were non-renewing his lease. Gave all of the move out information as to what we expect in regards to cleaning and such.

They did nothing. Picked up what he wanted and walked out.

So I have been in communication with the sister and his "worker" and sent a copy of the deposit return statement to them.

Mind you, I have pictures as well as every invoice and time card from anyone that worked at the place.

He had a cat - allowed - but it peed all over the living room and down the hallway so we replaced the carpet. He smoked in the apartment - which was a non smoking property - so we had to paint everything.

He did nothing to clean. I have pictures of everything. pooped in the stool and left it.

She is a Mental Health Care Advocate - but pretty much abandoned her brother an hour and half from her home....did nothing to help him. How can that be her job and she does nothing to help?

her response to the email I sent was the following:

I think your charges are outrageous but I was under the impression this would be coming based on things discussed in earlier emails. Don’t forget I was also in the apartment recently. I understand the cleaning part but saying that the remaining carpet needed to be replaced and the entire place needed to be painted is ridiculous. I understand he wasn’t a great tenant but I also know there are people out there that take advantage of people like Jonathan but I was hoping you weren’t one of them.

The late fee charge for the key and late fee when rent wasn’t paid on time (when it was totally out of Jonathan’s hands) are also prime examples.

I do not expect or want a reply to this email.

Cherie

Johnson County Mental Health Advocate

I'm not going to reply.... I have typed something out in my head and that has been it for me.

She is part of the "system" that should be helping him... and she isn't. And blaming others.

He needs mental stability and isn't getting it.

Fishy,

Stay strong. This reaction is so typical. She is mentally shifting HER guilt into blaming you.

No response because SHE is not your leasee.

When they have no ammunition they attack our character. If I had a nickel for every time someone proclaimed "And you call your self a Christian!" (Actually, I never do except in Bible study or at church.)

I used to take great joy in helping those who needed help like your guy. But each always seemed to end poorly like yours and I could kick myself.

Now, when such situations arise, I ask the family if they are truly committed to helping Sonny. If so, sign the lease.

Not willing to put your words on paper - on the lease? Then no lease.

I am not trained nor have the helpers to take care of special needs nor want the liability of increased risk. There are plenty of agencies and other LLs who are willing to take on the risk (and will eventually lose).

There are plenty of available homes for this fellow. He'll be fine.

MAYBE his sister will step up and help him find a new place.

Maybe she should buy him a house...

BUT...

a single cat ruined your carpet so you put down MORE carpet for the next cat?? Fishy, haven't I taught you?

A hard surface would have eliminated that expense. I suspect he is not collectible.

PS

Late Fee Charge for key...I LOVE IT!

"Stay strong. This reaction is so typical. She is mentally shifting HER guilt into blaming you."

Very good insight Brad!

BRAD - we did not do carpet replacement... we did LVP in the living room and hallway. He always kept the bedroom door closed so we cleaned the carpet in that room. I've been on that Ferris wheel before and it is not worth it.

Carpet replacement would have been so much more for them. I should have included the carpet replacement cost then showed them how much we "saved" them.

She is shifting her blame to me... and she deep down knows it. If she would have watched after him and checked in on him - this could have all been avoided.

Like sand thru the hourglass, these are the day of our renters.

Nothing new here. Tenant didn't follow the lease and caused damages. You billed it against the deposit. Turn over any unpaid balance to collections and get it cleaned and re-rented.

You simply CAN'T let their drama become yours. They all have stories.

Loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong stories that will drive you batty.

They will never accept responsibility. You live in a dream-world if you think one word you say is going to change them. It will not. Do not waste your time.

Do these situations where the tenant is not all there mentally and there is some other individual who doesn't live there representing them -- loss payee and all that -- every work out? I've only heard negative things about these scenarios on this forum.

I applaud Brad, The post covers loads but highlights that this person is not on the lease.

I recently knew I was being played when a tenant said

"..I didn't think you were all of that" His implication was that he put me on a pedestal and now recognized that I was a lesser person than he expected.

(The story is similar to those we read here. I worked with the tenant, Supplied parts for his busted car, got him furniture, eased his rent yadda yadda.....but still, dude could not keep up with rent and I shut his latest ideas down).

But he got me.... His comment drew a reaction back out of me which was pointless on my part. Nothing I would say would change any facts.

The only good thing that came from it was his stating " I'm not going to argue with you when you have a machete in your hand".

I knew then I at the very least had an amusing story to remember.

I shared this because I want to compliment you for the way you took care of the matter. Down to the point of writing out the response in your head. I would write it and save it. It is a good exercise of articulating your thoughts. But don't send.

Well done on your part.

Fishy,

Whew! I can breathe now knowing no new carpet!

Me? Inwould charge to replace the carpet they destroyed.My lease is clear: $5 sf. MY judge says the way I make a repair is up to me.

Scary to think we trust professional care givers who act like her.

BRAD, I agree. It is her job to "protect" people like her brother she tells me.... yet she does nothing.

To each their own. I did not lose one wink of sleep since she sent that email... and I am good. We didn't trash the unit, he did... his lease states that he will be responsible.

New renter is in there and loves it. Has a dog, got a pet fee monthly...and I drove by the other day and he was outside cleaning weeds in the flower bed and had bags of mulch that he was putting down.