We stopped answering the phone 100 years ago so all comms are by text.

UNTIL it's time to review details like timing and money and 2 Minute In Home Visit. THEN Sam calls them.

As I chatter with a 30 something man I asked several questions like "Your app states you live with your parents. How long have you been living there?"

"All my life."

"Then you must have some move in money saved up?"

"No. Maybe I'll have some in a month or two."

"OK, well this home is for rent right now. I'll put your app on hold and you can text in when you are ready to rent."

He then turned ugly! Telling my I was rude for asking so many personal questions like where he works, his reason for moving, does he have $2000 move in money? He ranted my company has a reputation around town for being rude.

When they run out of ammunition they start firing PERSONAL hits.

This guy was broke, living at home his ENTIRE life, brand new baby with a girl with multiple felonies...

I let him rant then said "I'm sorry you feel that way. I will be very professional and polite and tell you now that based on your bad attitude we will not be renting to you. Best of luck in your house hunting" and hung up.

He was quick to blow up the text thread with cursing at me. I just wanted to repsond "These texts prove my point" but I didn't. Let the trool get bored and move on.

I'm not usually cranky with people but it seemed right that day.

About an hour later #2 texted to follow up on her app. I reminded her she was denied in January due to lack of income and multiple criminal public records, and cannot approve her new app now.

She fired back claiming I discriminate against black people and she will report me to NAACP. (kissy face emoji??)

Please note: she did not supply an ID so none of us have seen her face, nor did anyone TALK with her and hear her voice. Online app and text only.

Again, when they run out of ammunition they start personal attacks.

Hang in there and don't let the trolls get you down. Some people just gotta hate.

Same way when they can't pay rent and you don't let yourself get sucked in to the excuse. (When the evidence does not support their hopes to be able to come up with it).

It's really sad how filled with hate some people are-so many!

They go around their whole life miserable, hopeless, and making others miserable too.

So sad. There is a cure if they were open to it, but that's not a landlord thing.

Ah yes, the number of times a conversation has turned and then I am called a slumlord.

Sounds like 90% of the tenant pool around here. The under 35s really do think the world owes them and government needs to support them (cradle to grave).

Ms. Fake ESA went there (discrimination) when I denied her on smoking/vaping due to her insistence. I usually just ghost. I'm convinced she called HUD in Buffalo as I received almost immediately after denial a call from a 716 number with a very, ahem, white dude, saying he's suuuuuuuuuuper interested. Treated him the same way by sending him a prequal link. Nothing.

Now she's contacting me on Zillow asking if it's still available and she has her boyfriend who wants to live together with her calling me 4 times in about 20 minutes. I blocked both of them on the rental line.

NE (PA): That's helpful; then you don't have to keep track of them trying to apply again.

Excellent examples, Brad. Thank you for sharing them.

Seems funny to me that the ones that claim they are being discriminated against are the ones that are discriminating. Nobody seems to realize that though.

OREO,

Haha! Let it go, Let HIM go! Just needs some music from FROZEN!

Gman,

Haha! Mr Block!

Florida,

He turned when I suggested we hold and he check back when he has money, BEFORE I told him no.

I was not snarky or mean, super professional and polite, but I did hang up as he was trying to talk over me.

Always stay professional even when you want to tell them off.

BRAD

>>We stopped answering the phone 100 years ago so all comms are by text. >>

This is one of the smartest things you can do as a landlord imo.

For one thing every time they lie change their story and say something else its all there on record, and the date.

Secondly everything you said to them is also on record and when, when they say you never did.

These become hugely important if you ever go to court.

Thirdly.... it diffuses a lot of emotion. And boy can they be emotional. How many times over the years have I gotten a page of text all in caps, from someone going Karen? Its sure better than getting it live and having them get your goat as it were. Because that's not a good idea at all either.

Yeah.

It also allows you to get back to them on your own time, instead of being harassed by phone calls all day.

So, do I like talking to my tenants? NO, LOL.

Just kidding. Of course we're all wonderful beautiful people but nobody has time for that. When I actually talk to my tenants, its "good morning, nice weather isn't it?" That is ALL.

Also any change of rent or scheduling or announcement is sent by certified mail. Happiness is keeping them at a professional distance lol.

Don't answer the phone...great advice! Get everything in writing.

Just had a tenant tell the judge multiple times "we had a verbal agreement".

Judge says (and rightly so) I have to go by the written agreement, this lease before me. I see where your LL has carefully documented what is allowed and what is not. This trumps any verbal agreement.

We ask for correspondence via email, unless an emergency. Then I can answer when I'm able, usually up late and not dealing with scheduled work.

Something about texts sets me off like a phone call would. I don't have the same time to think with a text as an email, and it's more organized with my email.

There was a time when 4 tenants were texting at once, not emergencies and I mistakenly texted back the wrong one.

I had a tenant text me that the city didn't pick up her trash.