Yesterday during a Text Only conversation with a tenant, I gave the tenant a 30 day Notice to remove the junk non-running vehicles from the back parking area. 2 of these non-running vehicles have been parked there for 3 years! The tenant responded by texting me back with one word,...Okay.

This is one Text that I need to save and store on a Thumb drive. And if the cars are still there in 30 days, I will issue a 30 Notice to Vacate which will also be Texted and posted on their door.

I have always used the cut and paste method, but that isn't very efficient.

We have to have them printed for our court. Anything on an electronic device (cell phone, computer, etc.) the court will keep for a period of time.

They would not allow a thumb drive because they cannot "see" it easily in the courtroom.

LeePookie,

3 months ago I was in court with an eviction that I had filed. Before my case was called, another deadbeat tenant was in front of the judge trying his best to retrieve Text Messages that his LL had sent him. The judge told him that if you can find the Text messages you are referring too and show me your phone, I will take that under consideration here. After 10 minutes of frantically searching for past Text messages, the tenant could not locate the Text messages to prove his statements to the judge, so the judge ruled in favor of his LL.

I've generally been wondering the same thing although not necessarily for court as I don't have "discussions" with tenants via text.

I recently needed a new cell phone as mine was close to 10 years old and would no longer hold a charge more than two or three hours.

I've now got three cell phones with photos and messages (which I probably no longer need). I guess I should look at the photos. I know some are "before" shots of units where I've got long term tenants. I asked at the verizon store about putting them on one of those thumb drive sticks and she told me it was basically impossible. She transferred the photos and text messages from the phone I was getting rid of into the new phone but I've still got the other ones. Of course, I needed a new type charger cord. So I've got a box of older phones with a power cord sitting on a shelf.

Nicole,

Myself, I would follow up with a written notice posted or mailed that says the same thing as the one you texted.

The problem with screen shots and other things discussed above is that if the text message strings are extensive then they don't fit on one screen so you end up screen printing multiple pages which is hard to follow.

ROY

Today - Just NOW - I am in the process of taking text messages from tenant, taking a screen shot of them, and saving them to computer then emailing a letter to lawyer and including the text message that I made a screen shot of and attached it my word document.

So many new words. I think I am going to have to borrow 6X6's dictionary.

It was confusing but yesterday I sat down with my Niece, and she showed me how and I made very detailed notes.

I was able to get this done today from my short memory and detailed notes.

YOU CAN DO IT.

In addition

She can sit at her desk and send text messages through the air waves to her printer and print out the text messages.

On a mac open imessages, click on a conversation, go to the menu and select "open conversation in separate window," then print that window, but instead of printing, select "print to pdf" to dump it to a pdf file.

I haven't been to court in a while but last time at our local court, you couldn't bring in a cell phone. Has this changed everywhere?

Also, it seems to me that with the right software, one could create an email/text and change the name and date. Hard to believe they are accepted in courts.

From WMH [NC]

"Mark, our courts won't allow cell phones in the courtroom anymore, you have to leave them in your car."

Roy,

Welcome to the 20th century Roy!

I see a management problem.

First, policies and procedures are spelled out in a proper lease. In MY management world a "discussion" with a res is helpful for serving the customer, understanding their needs, but irrelevant when it comes to paying.

If a text comes in about a repair we write a service ticket and/or print that text as the work ticket. Now we have a record of the request and it's time.

An outgoing text might be a REMINDER of the lease terms.

My lease is clear: verbal communications are non-binding. The written lease will override any verbal communication.

Next, we use Google Voice (free) from a desktop. Typing on a regular keyboard, not thumbing a phone, and not instant or reactionary. Spellcheck and and chance to edit our reply. we can review the whole thread for dates, etc on a big screen. We can take a moment to check records and compose ourselves and fashion a proper response. Remember, the RES can use a text AGAINST the LL so be VEWY VWEY CAWRFUL with the wording. (as Elmer Fudd would say!)

Those can be easily printed if needed.

BUT... I'll ask, what correspondence is needed that is not already covered in the lease? What message from a res overrides company policy?

The only message we have EVER needed in hundreds of evictions in court was "I'm out" by the res.

If a LL needs text messages in court that LL in not managing well, often with Wimpy-Lease disease.

Talk talk talk. either by mouth or text is just flapping lips. Spell it out in writing in the lease.

NEVER make verbal promises, ESPECIALLY by text. Too easily misunderstood.

My court will not accept ANYTHING digital. ALL evidence must be printed on paper to be scanned in by the clerk.

Excellent question. I too would like to be able to save text strings in case proof is needed later.

Does anyone use a PC based texting service that will allow texts to be forwarded to your phone when you are not in the office? I use Ring central for my phone service but texts are broken up into separate e-mails and are not a conversation. I can open their app and view the conversation but can't figure a way to save with "envelope" information fir the entire conversation. Having the entire string would also allow the LL to send a reminder about what was agreed.

Since many tenants only want to communicate by text, it would be great to have a way to capture the entire string of messages with dates, times and phone numbers and save to a pdf when needed.

20+ years ago, when I designed my Residential Lease with the help of my Realty company and ideas from MR. Landlord, I was using a computer/ word processor at home. One of the very last details I included in "Special Conditions" was: All Notices to Tenant may be and more often will be sent to you by (electronic) e-mail. Please Initial here ____.

I've always used computers and email because YOU'VE GOT IT IN WRITING, and if you think you'll ever need it, it's good for 5 years!