Over the past year, I had a tenant who went from good to ... well, let's say difficult. It all really hit the fan about last Nov when we decided we'd try to sell the duplex we'd rented to him and his GF. I sent a text out through G-Voice about setting up a showing schedule, 2 hours per day on 2 days of the week so that we weren't bother them all the time or playing tag trying to set up showings. Pretty unobtrusive, if you ask me.

He went bonkers on me. Every nasty word in the book, including the favorite "slumlord" was hurled my way. So I tried offering him a financial bonus for being flexible. Nope, he wasn't going to "Sell his privacy so cheaply". I suggested if we were so bad to him then he should take the Early Termination option. Nope, he wasn't going to do that. He then used my favorite insult of all, calling me a "sneaky fellow." Clean, at least, unlike all his other insults.

I seriously think either he was off his meds or on some drugs that weren't very good.... anyway.

Finally, I was done with his shenanigans and said, "Look, we have the right to show this place at any reasonable time with or without notice per our state statutes, and we will do so now at our convenience since you've rejected all our proposals. Be ready to have our people / REALTOR in whether you are there or not, and if you prevent access or say one nasty word to anyone during that visit, we will be evicting you for trying to sabotage our business assets."

That shut him up for awhile, but then he started in again any time I sent a notice that someone was coming by. So finally I just told him, "Mess with this at all, we evict you. Bye."

We ended up deciding not to sell because we sold a few other houses and got enough capital to do the 1031 deal we wanted, and I didn't have any need for the added dollars. So I let it sit. He pays, I ignore his shenanigans. I've been in the Army. Skin is thick enough to let things roll as long as I'm getting paid and damages aren't being done. It's been 5 quiet months.

Today, I got a voicemail from a landlord here in my town with whom I've had a decade-long, good working professional relationship. He was requesting a reference for this guy.

I just finished exporting the entire Google voice text thread to send over as part of the reference. I have no crystal ball, but my guess is this will not shine a favorable light on him as a tenant, especially since GF apparently isn't applying to live with him as I got no reference request for her. I couldn't in good conscience stick any other landlord with this guy without telling them the full truth, especially not a landlord with whom I have a good relationship.

P.S. He and his GF are both very collectible. Another reason I allowed this to persist as long as they paid. Stick 'n stones.... Happy Friday! *wink

Next !

I've heard a lot of insults from tenants, but have never evicted for that. Insults don't damage my bank account. Turnovers do.

Good. I don't lie to other landlords and I hope they reciprocate and tell the truth to me.

Don't worry, your tenant will find a place. He'll find a landlord who doesn't check landlord references, or he will get a friend to pretend to be his landlord.

Maybe the girlfriend is moving with him and they are just not mentioning it.

How did you offer to reward his/her cooperation?