Finally got all the apartments rented after all the drama and work of two abandonments at the same time (one woman apparently had a brain seizure and had to move in with parents, another lost his job and bolted leaving apartment full of furniture).

Now after two months some kid in the neighborhood suddenly attacking the parked cars around the building. One tenant blames me??? and wanted $3K to cover their car damages, as if I'm an insurance company for anything anyone in the neighborhood does. Says they're now "aggressively looking for a new place to live".

I then offered to put in parking security cameras at my own expense (I had already put in motion lights) and instead of thanking me they're now demanding free Internet service to run them! "Cameras are an expected part of rentals" I was informed last night by one of them, telling me another tenant was "extremely angry about all this".

What in the world does any of this have to do with me?

You work and work to provide housing for these people and the pay isn't great for it. And people just come and destroy. I'm looking at the privacy fence I put in myself for them and some drunk drove into it. This is not one of those businesses where you're commended or thanked for anything. The best you get is an empty mailbox and voicemail for the day.

"What in the world does any of this have to do with me?"

"Thank you for letting me know. I've contacted the police and have also asked they increase their presence in the area."

If you required renter's insurance, then their property would be covered. Your insurance doesn't insure their items

I know my car insurance would cover the damages to my vehicle.

I'm very curious what your response was when a tenant told you "Cameras are an expected part of rentals".

Was it more: "Look at the lease. There are no cameras included. You may install your own portable ones, if you wish."

Or was it more: Hesitate, look down, and say something like "well.....I don't know....I'll see what I can do..."

I suspect it was closer to the latter, given the string of problems you have shared over time. I'm afraid there is something about the way you carry yourself & the lack of confidence you project that lets others think they can walk all over you and get what they want from you. (were you bullied as a kid?)

No, I'm not trying to be snarky or mean. It can be tough to train yourself to not be a doormat - I'm still challenged by it sometimes - but you must learn to exude confidence & strength. Especially in this business.

Who is the boss of your business? It must be you, to be successful. YOU must be in charge.

You need to be crystal clear about your requirements from your first encounter with a prospect. Stand up straight & speak up so you are heard & believed.

Cooperation is the #1 thing to screen for.

You need to know instantly from memory EXACTLY what your lease says. Relay that clearly to others, and stand behind/enforce it.

Regarding car vandalism, my reply would be: Thank you for letting me know. I'm sorry that happened. Report it to the police and contact your car insurance to cover any damage.

Tenant Entitlement is at an all time high. Screen 6X!!

That's life. Give those tenants a non renewal and move on. I've found out that in stead of stressing I can just non renew and my problems go away. A empty house is cheap to let sit vs having problem tenants.

"Tenant Entitlement is at an all time high. Screen 6X!!

I screen for cooperation and conscientiousness."

I have a rigorous pre-screening process as well as a rigorous application process and a strict tour process. A few people have said to me aren't you turning off the good tenants by having that many requirements? My response is a good tenants will be cooperative and will go through all of the requirements without any golf or so much as a sigh.

The bad high maintenance tenants will complain about the process every.single.time.

I also troll my ads up and they remain unlisted as to the exact street address so that the many throngs of people that I reject even before the tour don't know where the address is.

Around here they have a 14-day notice to pay or quit/ late notice it's the first step in the eviction. Around the 15th or so people start getting these notices so that's when I advance the available date so that it doesn't coincide with the first of the next month.

Example: If I were advertising for May 1st and I haven't gotten any good prospects by the time April 15th rolls around, I bump it up to May 15th as available.

This cuts out most of the evictoids who are hoping to move in the beginning of next month after they get their notice. Also the good people usually advance plan even if they have a sudden job promotion/opportunity...they usually get at least 60 days notice to give to the current landlord and get a new place in advance.

I would do some homework and scoping out of the competition too. For instance cameras are NOT an expected part of rentals anywhere I've looked. SFH or apartments: it's just not provided. Tenants may put up their own Ring if they want.

In the city, parking is a bonus and an extra charge. In the country, room for extra cars and an RV are a bonus but probably free.