Having tennants over for

How friendly can you become with your tenants ? Is it a bad idea to invite them over for dinner once in a while ? we have invited them to church on Sundays and they have been coming . --75.200.xxx.xx

Having tennants over for (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 4:44 PM
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Treat them to lunch after church. No go to your home. --172.56.xx.xx

Having tennants over for (by Still Learning [NH]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 4:48 PM
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Hard no for me. Business relationship only. Have had a tenant in my house 2 days in a row because he works for the company I hired. I don’t like it. I don’t want to put him in a position where he thinks I’m taking advantage or have him feel I owe him. It is what it is on this situation but I would not willingly start a personal relationship. --73.159.xxx.xx

Having tennants over for (by ken [NY]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 5:28 PM
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Not at all, I dont want my tenants even knowing where i live nevermind inviting them to dinner.Not to mention we would have nothing in common,2 totally different mindsets --74.77.xx.xx

Having tennants over for (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 5:32 PM
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Professional distance is what I believe in. Reasonably friendly but not friends. Otherwise both you and they get confused when it comes to business. Each will take the others issue in the business relationship personally. I have enough I need to keep straight and I'm not adding any unnecessary complications that can be avoided. --209.122.xx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by MikeA [TX]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 5:36 PM
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Did that once years ago, never again. My wife (who helps with the rentals) befriended a tenant and her 3 little girls. Started with an invite to Church with lunch after. Then had them over a couple of times. The husband was a local Army recruiter and got out after a couple months. He ended up unemployed and bitter. The wife who was very flirty had a couple of flings and in one situation left the kids who were 7-10 years old home by themselves. Police visits regularly. We called CPS a couple of times. Finally they split and he moved down state and she moved to a small town down the road with here latest fling. It was a challenging couple of months there.

That was a very good lesson for me. I keep tenants at arms length. I added qualification criteria that precludes renting to friends and family in the future. While I might still invite a tenant to Church, that would be as far as it would go. There would be no socialization outside of saying high and a handshake. I need that hard line between business and my life. It really makes it difficult to enforce rules when there is a friendship involved. --209.205.xxx.xx

Having tennants over for (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 5:39 PM
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I'm just thinking about my conversations with tenants. Everything is completely surface level. There's never a conversation about church, politics, sports, family and etc. I don't want to know about their personal affairs and I'm certainly not telling them mine. I'm even careful talking with neighbors of the tenants and contractors as your business can get out that way as well. --209.122.xx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by Jason [VA]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 5:48 PM
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I’ll treat them to dinner as frequently as Verizon or my mortgage provider takes me out. --73.147.xxx.xx

Having tennants over for (by Sisco [MO]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 5:51 PM
Message:

Not intentionally, but always be civil and very polite. Focus on your LL communication, strive to improve, always up your game.

Do have dinner guests in your home regularly. --149.76.xxx.x

Having tennants over for (by zero [IN]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 7:17 PM
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I don't want most any of my family to stop by for dinner let alone someone who owes me money. --107.147.xx.xx

Having tennants over for (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 8:44 PM
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I hear you, zero. --76.129.xxx.xx

Having tennants over for (by Chicago LL [IL]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 8:53 PM
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Absolutely not. If you become their friends, you would be a heartless friend when evicting them. It's best to keep it professional. I provide housing for them in exchange for their money. That's it. --99.128.xxx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 9:25 PM
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Zero,

I thought we were brothers man......

--24.101.xxx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by zero [IN]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 9:29 PM
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Ray, you owe me money? I forgot all about that.

When I get back from Florida on Sunday you can swing by and have dinner with us.

Just call first. --107.147.xx.xx

Having tennants over for (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 9:48 PM
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Nothing at all. I don’t even speak to them if I can help it. --24.152.xxx.xx

Having tennants over for (by Robin [WI]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 10:03 PM
Message:

I treat my tenants with courtesy, respect, and kindness. One of my long-term tenants broke her lease recently mid-term to go take care of her mother. She was incensed that I expected her to pay the early termination fee. Quote: "You cried with me when my son passed suddenly. And now you're keeping my security deposit??"

Another long-term tenant finally got a three-day notice after my tolerating his financial struggles for far too long. Quote: "I gave you a free pizza. That was a mistake!" (He offered me one, unsolicited, from the pizza place that he worked at.)

If they think there is a friendship, they think you will never kick them out (or charge a late fee, or...). That "friendship" will only exist to benefit them. So I have learned never to accept overtures of any kind. --104.230.xxx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by ken [NY]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 10:27 PM
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Robin, he offered you a free pizza from where he worked? so in other words he stole a pizza from his boss to give you --74.77.xx.xx

Having tennants over for (by Drew [FL]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 10:57 PM
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Thank you to all of you that responded . I had a feeling your responses would be what they were but wanted to get your feedback . Thanks again for being there for me .Blessings to all of you .

Drew L. --75.200.xxx.xx

Having tennants over for (by Drew [FL]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 10:58 PM
Message:

Thank you to all of you that responded . I had a feeling your responses would be what they were but wanted to get your feedback . Thanks again for being there for me .Blessings to all of you .

Drew L. --75.200.xxx.xx

Having tennants over for (by MMIT [VA]) Posted on: Jul 9, 2024 11:16 PM
Message:

I am friendly and try to be a cooperative landlord.

When there is a problem, I calmly work it out with them - I don’t yell or threaten.

When one tenant goes off her meds, I let her rant and then leave. She apologizes the next day. She has also paid for the house a couple times!

If they have a problem that I think I can help with, I will offer very limited advice.

I encourage their kids to stay in school and get good grades. I encourage older kids to look into a career in the trades.

If they talk about starting a new job with a 401k, I will run a projection for them to show the potential growth.

I realize that none of them take my advice.

I never accept anything from them except a rent payment. No meals, tools, food, etc.

One tenant volunteered one day a week at a food bank. He always offered shrimp, crap legs, and steak whenever he saw me. I never accepted. He was eventually evicted.

Several have offered free meals if I go to the fast food restaurant when they are working there. Never accepted their offer.

If I see them while I am “out and about”, I am very friendly, but, professional. I wave when I drive by their house.

They do not know anything about my family (unless I complain about catching another cold from the grandkids). They do not know where I live. They see I drive an 18 year old minivan that never seems to breakdown (preventive maintenance does wonders).

When I go on vacation, another landlord takes over while I am gone. When I get back, I explain that the lady who owns the houses was trying out another maintenance guy and decided to bring me back after a couple weeks.

--184.187.xx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 1:08 AM
Message:

Drew,

Friendly but never friends.

I don't hang around long enough to chit chat about things other than the home.

My criteria includes never renting to family or friends because sometimes I have to evict, and/or they tend to expect special favors.

If we BECAME friends they'd have to go:)

I rented to the 30 year old adult son I'd never met, son to some good friends from church.

He turned out to be a disaster to the point the sheriff was walking around THEIR home looking for him to serve the summons.

On Sunday, at handshake/greeting time I turned around and there with his parents was the guy who owed me $2500. Impossible to worship, even focus with him just sitting there.

On the flip side - gevans might chime in. He rents to military and invites some to holiday dinners.

BRAD

--73.103.xxx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by RB [TN]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 7:43 AM
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When it comes to business and friends,

I have no friends. --69.130.xxx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by zero [IN]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 8:54 AM
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I have walked into a restaurant and seen an ex-tenant working.

I quickly remember what they owe(d) me and how bad the place was. Then I leave and mark that place off the list for a while. Since they never seem to keep steady employment.

Daughter was in 4-H and the troop leader worked for the county health department. She NEVER ate at any places in the county. Said she couldn't. I would ask for details but my wife never wanted to know. Fortunately the lady got bumped up to the state level and no longer has to do inspections. --107.147.xx.xx

Having tennants over for (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 9:17 AM
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I don't even remember what my tenants look like. DH does but he's as anti-social as I am. We don't want our NEIGHBORS to come over, let alone our tenants... --173.28.xx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by tim [CA]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 9:28 AM
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Don't mix business with home life. I guarantee, if you don't follow the advice here, you will after one of your 'friends' screws you over good. --73.2.xx.xx

Having tennants over for (by Elena [PA]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 12:13 PM
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Absolutely not. Boundaries must be set strong and clear from the very beginning. Our tenants know nothing about our private lives, and some don't even realize we are the owners and not the property managers. --173.62.xxx.xx

Having tennants over for (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 1:05 PM
Message:

What I hear you - is it alright for you to fraternize with your customers? Ahhhhhhhh NO!

Now if you want to buy someone who is your peer - a fellow investor, perhaps. I am available Friday and like Italian, could you get place that delivers? --24.101.xxx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by ken [NY]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 1:33 PM
Message:

zero- a friend of mine worked for the county health dept years ago and i mentioned i was going to the fair that night, he said i wouldnt eat nothing there and told me he inspected it before it opened,turned me off on the fair food after that --74.77.xx.xx

Having tennants over for (by Homer [TX]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 1:46 PM
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Absolutely NO!!! I even avoid going to church locally, due to the fact I may run into a tenant. I go to a nearby city for church. Keep your distance from potential tenant friendships. --66.169.xxx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 3:00 PM
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Hard no for me. Be professional, and you can be their friend when they move out. As Dave Ramsey says..."Thanksgiving dinner tastes different when you owe your parents money" --64.38.xxx.xxx

Having tennants over for (by Jim [OH]) Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 10:28 PM
Message:

Let me put this to you delicately, NO! --184.57.xxx.xx

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Having tennants over for

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