Don't you just love some of the excuses tenants have for not paying rent?

As upsetting as it can be, sometimes we have to stand back and get a perspective. Some of our experiences are even funny afterwards.

The LPA selects the most original excuses made by tenants to their landlords. If you have an interesting or funny story about your tenant's excuse for not paying rent, we'd love to hear it!
Submit your Excuse of the Day

Excuse of the Day for 5/6/08:

"I was going to give you rent but you gave me attitude when I didn’t give you rent for last month." I started the eviction process. - ED, Lehighton, Pa

Excuse of the Day for 5/1/08:

"We have a leak. I want it fixed and then you can come back for your rent." The leak in question is from the window. When it rains hard, she needs to close the window completely. She was able to show me 1/4 of an inch water she collected in a dixie cup. I enforced the late charge and also used the opportunity in the apartment to make an inspection. I gave her a list of things to correct if she wants her full deposit back. Cathy J., NY

Excuse of the Day for 4/17/08:

"I did not use all that current and water and I don't wash I go laundry. What happen to the $700.00 dollar I give you?" Mister, you pay $350. for security and $350 rent in advance. Mister, your rent is due you must pay in advance before your month begin...."but I suppose to live out a month for free." - Melvina

Excuse of the Day for 4/9/08:

"I am sorry do what you have to. I will not pay anymore rent....I must save up for a new place when you evict me....." Oh yeah, well good luck getting your new place in three days when your stuff is sitting in the parking lot!!!! - Bobbie, PA

Excuse of the Day for 4/7/08:

"I didn't pay the rent because there is some kind of monster in the attic scaring me all night." During the month we responded immediately to a complaint and evicted a squirel and closed up the access point. Now she is suffering flashbacks and late fees. - Steve, NY

Excuse of the Day for 4/5/08:

"My new $1,000 dryer broke, and asking a single mom to pay late fees is predatory." - Mummhummm. and.... I could do this excuse of the day thing everyday of the week…- Shannon, Dallas, TX

Excuse of the Day for 4/4/08:

"My cat just died and I need the money for the burial service" - Umm, lease states NO pets allowed. - Paolo, Merchantville, NJ

Excuse of the Day for 3/25/08:

I returned a call to my tenant who has not paid rent in three months because he said he had some great news for me. When I asked him if the great news was that he could pay the past due rents, he said, "Oh no, not that, I just wanted to let you know that in a couple more weeks he was applying for unemployment, and that his wife was pregnant, again." He has no idea at this time when he can pay, or how much. However, I know the eviction court date is in 2 weeks. - Brian, Gardner, Massachusetts

Excuse of the Day for 3/18/08:

"The wedding dresses are almost done! As soon As I finish, they are supposed to pay me." - My tenant is a tempermental seamstress who depends on her dressmaking to pay the rent. I see this tenancy winding down. Kim, Irvine, CA

Excuse of the Day for 3/13/08:

"Could you please file a Landlord/Tenant Complaint so I can get financial assistance to pay you the rent?" - I did, and they got the financial aid but didn’t give it to me! Her request ended with her eviction -of course! Melissa, PA

Excuse of the Day for 3/12/08:

"You know my sister, who I brought up from Mississippi to try to get her life back together? Well, she ran back to Mississippi and took all of my rent money with her. I’m going down there to get my money back this weekend!" Believe it or not he had it on the following Monday and has been paying like clockwork ever since. Go figure! - Melissa, PA

Excuse of the Day for 3/10/08:

"Oh, your rent? Well I have the check right here. It has been sitting on my table for days!" - Well now, when do you think the check is going to get up and walk around the block to my house? Melissa, PA

Excuse of the Day for 3/8/08:

Wow. Just returned from a mediation trying to give the tenants a last chance to redeem themselves.
Judge: Do you wish to pay the $12,000.00 rent due and renegotiate your lease?
Tenant: "Why should we do that if he is going to evict us anyways?". - Samuel Keller

Excuse of the Day for 3/7/08:

"I broke up with my boyfriend and I’m too stressed to go to work". Me too, although that doesn’t stop the postman from delivering those darn bills periodically. - Gail, Georgia

Excuse of the Day for 3/5/08:

I am waiting for my income tax check so I can catch up with my February rent. After 2 late notices more than 3 weeks Iate I was told. - Lou C., NY

Excuse of the Day for 3/1/08:

"I almost had a nervous breakdown and got fired from my job." These people now owe me $1,340.00 in back rent and SURPRISE: I got an overdue water bill today that I'll end up paying so that the water doesn't get turned off. Nervous breakdown? I've got 3 kids, a full-time job, another mortgage payment to keep up with now AND tenants who are older than me and make more money than me – but somehow I can keep it all together, pull myself up by the bootstraps and carry on… this is why I'm getting out of the business – I'm not going to subsidize someone’s lifestyle and give them a nice house to live in rent-free! I gave them notice last week that they had 7 days to pay the rent in full or get out – they actually had the nerve to ask if they could have all of the appliances I provided with the house (microwave, refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer). I said "NO!" and I'll be visiting daily to make sure none of these things disappear – or they'll be in jail on theft charges. Word is, they are crying around town acting like I'm an evil "slumlord." An evil slumlord wouldn’t have reduced their rent and allowed them to make weekly instead of monthly payments when they fell on hard times! They also lived in a very nice 4 bed, 2 full bath home with a 2 car garage that was spotless, clean and completely updated – ceramic tile, whirlpool bath, Energy Star tilt-in windows, fresh paint, berber carpet, built in microwave, brand new refrigerator, Kraftmaid cabinetry, new concrete slab driveway…. I could go on. Godspeed to all the Landlord’s out there!- Amy Sparks, Troy, Ohio

Excuse of the Day for 2/28/08:

"I'm so sorry! I was in Cancun all week and just got back into town last night." Says our renter this morning who is now 9 days late.... - Lisa, NC

Excuse of the Day for 2/25/08:

"What it’s not in your mail slot? I put it there myself three days ago!" - Our mail slot goes straight into our coat closet. It is impossible for anyone to steal our mail. She had us going through our garbage and dismantling our mail slot to see if it slid through a crack in the metal chute. It took us a full month to realize we were being played! - Melissa, PA

Excuse of the Day for 2/22/08:

"Our iguana got stuck in the bathtub drain and we have to spend monies to dig up ground to save him." - Safiyyah, Miami, Florida

Excuse of the Day for 2/20/08:

"You want the rent? I didn't even make my boat payment yet." - Now we know his priorites. I told him he may have to live on his boat. - Leonard, SC

Excuse of the Day for 2/14/08:

"My boyfriend just became my fiancee! He proposed to me last week!" - After saying congratulations, I asked again for the rent. She told me she won't be paying me anymore rent. She and her "sweety" have to save for a larger place. I told her I'll see her in court. - Lisa D., GA

Excuse of the Day for 2/09/08:

"The fridge is not getting cold enough. I had to go out and buy new food twice. When are you going to replace it?" I had to remind Carol that she brought her own refigerator with her and got me to lower the rent because she was not going to use my new refrgerator which she had me remove. I asked her if she'd be willing to pay the original rent that includes the new fridge and she said, "Absolutely not!" and that it is illegal for me not to give her the refrigerator I already had there... My lawyer has already begun the eviction process. - Tonia B., San Francisco, CA

Excuse of the Day for 2/06/08:

"I know it’s the 28th of the month, but I’m waiting for my husband to give me his half for the rent." I asked the wife to at least pay what she can on time, and she said "Oh no, I wouldn’t do that….making partial payments is bad business." - Sandra, Palm Beach, FL

Excuse of the Day for 1/31/08:

"I’m afraid if I catch up my rent you’ll evict me." They haven’t paid any rent in 3 months and are now $3000 behind.. Janet T, Tontitown, AR

Excuse of the Day for 1/28/08:

"In these living situations, it is not always about the rent, you know". The response I got when I asked if he would have the rent on Sunday (he asked for a two day extension. - Mark and Marlene Smith, New Hampshire

Excuse of the Day for 1/25/08:

"I can't talk to you about this now because I am having a panic attack." You are three weeks behind on your payment in an attempt to get current on the $2000 + you are behind in rent. Wonder if the mortgage company would give me an extension because I am having a panic attack about paying my bills???? - Mark and Marlene Smith, New Hampshire

Excuse of the Day for 1/22/08:

"I'm probably moving at the end of the month anyway and you still have my security." I said Probably? Where's your 60 days written notice as agreed in the lease? I'm sorry, but if you don't pay the rent, an attorney fee will be added to what you owe. - Kelly, CO

Excuse of the Day for 1/12/08:

"You never got back to me. I asked if I can pay you 3 months rent + $50. extra for EACH MONTH in 3 months." If he asked such a ridiculous question, I'm sure I'd have remembered it. Anyway, this what he told me and the judge in court. Ha ha. - Joanne, NY

Excuse of the Day for 1/5/08:

"I haven’t paid the rent because of a payroll problem at work. I haven’t been paid yet." Right. I’ve been hearing this since November when I first bought this property and these mysterious payroll issues haven’t been resolved yet. I can’t wait to be rid of these deadbeats. - Marla, MS

Excuse of the Day for 1/4/08:

"I can't pay the rent because I haven't gotten my child support money. My ex owns his own business and he tells his accountant 'Just don't pay her'." Really, I didn't know paying child support was optional. If I'd had her exes' accountant, I could have saved a bundle. - Dan Strubel, Navarre, Ohio

Excuse of the Day for 1/2/08:

"My husband was in the hospital so I don’t have your rent." This didn’t stop them from getting another car., not to mention that she works 2 jobs and the husband stays home anyhow. - Julie, Michigan

Excuse of the Day for 12/31/07:

"I'm NOT going to be bothered by you for the rent everyday!" This was after the rent was three months late. As soon as I bought the property she stopped paying the rent. I finally got a court ordered eviction. Lesson to learned! - Lew, Lewiston Maine

Excuse of the Day for 12/26/07:

"I just got laid off at work and unemployment takes time to send my first check." Found many gifts under the tree when I went to get rent and couldn't. Guess Walmart and Sears don't have to wait for unemployment to come through. - Debbie, Rockford, IL

Excuse of the Day for 12/23/07:

"I'm Renting from someone else, Who are you looking for?" After a little explination, he found out he was paying 300$ more then what I was charging his "friend". Rob Kapolei, HI

Excuse of the Day for 12/20/07:

"We just can’t make ends meet and welfare won’t help us, I am waiting on the county to help". Then a credit company calls me to verify their info for new stuff. Maybe the county will help me pay my mortgage too since I can’t collect from them. - Julie, Michigan

Excuse of the Day for 12/18/07:

"Hey, we aren’t dead beats. Just because we paid rent 2 weeks late, we won’t ever be late again." Too bad that was also the last time they bothered to pay rent at all. So now the non-deadbeats are being evicted. - Julie, Michigan

Excuse of the Day for 12/17/07:

"I got a $500.00 dollar ticket for no tags or insurance, but I'll pay you as soon as my disability is approved. I wrote my Congressman so it'll be soon." They reached the end of their lease and I gave a non-renewal of lease. They are happily gone. - Charles G.,Elkins, AR

Excuse of the Day for 12/12/07:

"I'm sorry, I'm a very busy woman. I don't have time to have you asking me for the rent." I'm also a very busy woman and I should NOT have to waste MY time asking YOU for the rent. Please pay the rent with the agreed late fee. - Jeanne M., Naples, FL

Excuse of the Day for 12/8/07:

"There's a crack in the ceiling." There's gonna be a crack in his head! This S.O.B. bounced his first rent check on me. Now he's gonna be evicted. - Dottie, Portland, ME

Excuse of the Day for 12/1/07:

"Don't worry. I'll have the rest of last months rent next Friday and this months rent IN FULL on the 20th (3 weeks)." - Andy, Levittown, NY

Excuse of the Day for 11/20/07:

"Yeah, I’m moving out the first of next month." Well that’s great, but you still owe me rent for this month. - Drew, NY

Excuse of the Day for 11/18/07:

"My mother was evicted and I had to help her track down the landlord at his house. I don't know when I'll have MY rent." It seems that Mom isn't the only one being evicted! - Josh, Las Vegas, NV

Excuse of the Day for 11/11/07:

"Simply - I can't pay the rent - My check will bounce and the bank will charge me a fee!!!!" DUH! - Spivey, Winter Haven, FL

Excuse of the Day for 11/7/07:

"I don't have any money because I've been taking care of my sick mother instead of working". Says this as he's holding a case of beer in each hand. - Amy, Maine

Excuse of the Day for 11/4/07:

"I just started a new job and it will take couple weeks to get my check."
- Nell from Arverne, N.Y.

Excuse of the Day for 11/02/07:

"My husband is in jail for two months. I will pay my share." - Nell from Arverne, N.Y.


Excuse of the Day for 10/25/07:

"Ahhh, could you wait until next week, we burned a hole in the living room ceiling and we don't want you to see it." - Yikes! I immediately went to the house. They installed a shelf about 1 foot from the ceiling and placed a candle on it. - Chris K, Parkman, OH

Excuse of the Day for 10/20/07:

"Well, I need a ballpark figure. I didn't know how much the rent was or how much I owed when I moved in." I was told this excuse three weeks after many other excuses for why this guy and his wife couldn't pay the rent. --Al, Petal, Mississippi

Excuse of the Day for 10/16/07:

"We can't pay you rent because we had to close our bank account. We just found out that the bank was stealing our money. $8,000 is missing and we just figured this out. We will pay you when we get our money back from the bank." I received this phone message the day after he received his paycheck and was supposed to send rent. How stupid do they think I am??? - Dawn, Colorado

Excuse of the Day for 10/11/07:

"Our Mailman was in an accident and the mail was all over the road, so we didn't get our welfare check." Well, I called the Post Office and they have no record of any accident. -Brian, PA

Excuse of the Day for 10/10/07:

"I've been working so hard I haven't had time to stop at the bank or go to the post office for a money order"
This woman hasen't paid us rent since we purchased the building in April 07. She also was already six months behind with her previous landlord. She also has a post office box. - Bryan and Joan, VT

Excuse of the Day for 10/8/07:

"Here’s your check, but I don’t have the money in the bank, so don’t cash it. My dad is going to send me $200 on Monday." The check included $75 that they still owed from last month. - Marie W., Washington

Excuse of the Day for 10/1/07:

"I'm sorry I can't make out a check to pay you---I broke my leg". Years ago, when I was a landlord, a tenant who was overdue on the rent payment, had this to say when I called to inquire about the delay. - John B.,Fenton, Michigan

Excuse of the Day for 9/25/07:

"I just bought a new car. After insurance, taxes and what not, it costed much more than I thought it would. This could set me back for a while. I hope you'll be understanding about it." Said the note in the rent envelope. I responded that I fully understand as I'm sure they understand the late fee clause in their lease along with the pay or quit 3 day notice enclosed in my certified mail. - Matthew O., Colorado Springs, CO

Excuse of the Day for 9/18/07:

"I've got a girl in here, can you come back later?" - Mark C., Troy, Ohio

Excuse of the Day for 9/11/07:

"My Mercedes needed maintenance and one thing led to another..." I wanted to say: OK, live in your Mercedes. But I did say late payments now are going on your credit report. Thanks LPA.- Christine F., CA

Excuse of the Day for 9/10/07:

"I just bought my daughter a bike, so I can't pay rent yet. You wouldn't turn your kids down for a new bike, would you?" Why do some tenants think paying one's rent so there is a roof over their child's head instead of buying new toys is "heartless"? - Mark C., Troy, Ohio

Excuse of the Day for 9/7/07:

Here’s another from the same guy. I come to the door, knock, and the son of the guy answers. "Where’s your dad?" I ask.
The son says, "He's at a golf tournament." Moments later, he walks down the steps. - Mark C., Troy, Ohio

Excuse of the Day for 9/6/07:

"We can't pay until the 14th because I have to buy medication for diabetes and that is more than what we can afford, my daughter and son in law didn't move out because they couldn't move into my son in-laws parent's home they didn't want them there. Then we had to buy food for five adults and then the baby. And thank you for always working with us." - Turner, Bakersfield, CA

Excuse of the Day for 9/5/07:

"My Dad is in Hawaii, so I can’t borrow money from him." - Mark C., Troy, Ohio.

Excuse of the Day for 8/30/07:

"Why are you always in such a hurry for the rent? Are you having money problems?" I pay my mortgage on time because I don't want to damage my credit or pay late fees. Why don't you pay your bills on time? - Jonathan S., Chicago, IL

Excuse of the Day for 8/24/07:

"My son is a landlord. I know how long I have to pay the rent." I know how long you have too. Here's your Pay or Quit notice. - Sean H., Babylon, NY

Excuse of the Day for 8/14/07:

"Didn’t we pay for both first and last month rent when we signed the lease?" Tenant just signed a lease renewal for another year. Did not pay August rent and told me - Todd, CA

Excuse of the Day for 8/10/07:

Well, we can't pay our rent right now because my wife went to Toy's R US to buy a new crib. - Cristin, New Mexico

Excuse of the Day for 8/6/07:

"My husband sells cars and he didn't sell many this month." - Sandy, NJ

Excuse of the Day for 7/31/07:

"My daughter was married this month and that set us back big time. You know how it is." Yes, I do know how it is. Without the rent paid, I can be subject to a late fee from my bank and you will have to pay the late fees in your lease. My late limit before eviction attorney status is 10 days. - Steve S, Ronkonkoma, NY

Excuse of the Day for 7/24/07:

"Yo. I’m just gonna have to get you the rent between the 15th and the 20th. Then we’ll be back to normal. Thanks. And this is a one time late payment flashback." Can’t pay rent, but can go to L.A.? Eviction notice will be waiting for you. - Kevin B. Pittsburgh, PA

Excuse of the Day for 7/23/07:

This month I got mugged, got into a car wreck, and missed work for a few days with poison oak. I’m going to L.A. next week and can be back working and sending you [the rent] on the 15th. You cool with that?" This tenant has been on time with rent one time in the past year (last month!) - Kevin B. Pittsburgh, PA

Excuse of the Day for 7/20/07:

"The dog broke its foot and we had to pay the vet." You mean the dog that you ARE NOT allowed to have according to your lease?? - Meg in PA

Excuse of the Day for 7/19/07:

"So many things are piling up on me all at once! The electric bill, the phone bill ..." Oh, you mean like all the things you should EXPECT to pay every month and should budget for? - Fraser, Asheville, NC

Excuse of the Day for 7/16/07:

"My car is broken. My wife she take my car to work. I can not work with no car." - Um, your car is "broken"? It looks to me like the lease is "broken". And your wife is using it to go to work? I guess it's not too broken. Besides you always shared the car, so what is the real reason you don't have the rent? - Jeff S., Fort Wayne, IN

Excuse of the Day for 7/11/07:

"I can give you $300 next Friday. I don't know when we will have the other $1,200. It seems like you are just in this for the money! Aren't you?" No I enjoy going broke. (his rent is $425 Per Month ) Here's your 3-day. - Dave , Florida

Excuse of the Day for 7/10/07:

"Fourth of July, messed up my company's payroll....It's coming........" - Ian, Middletown, Ohio

Excuse of the Day for 7/04/07:

"We'll pay you after the 4th of July. We're having a big party and had to buy a lot of beer."
Late Fee Due! - Bert, Naples, FL

Excuse of the Day for 6/30/07:

"I can't pay my rent because I have to take my mom to the rodeo" - Jacquie, MT

Excuse of the Day for 6/23/07:

"It was good when I wrote it, you waited too long to cash it so I must have spent the money."
He wrote a check on 06/04, I went to the bank to cash the check on 06/21 and was told "There is not quite enough funds for this check." - Debbie, Fairbanks, AK

Excuse of the Day for 6/21/07:

"My sister has lupus, and I am so upset about it I can't even function. Maybe I can get the rent out of my father's equity account. I have power of attorney."
I sure hope you get yourself functioning again. You're gonna function yourself right out of my house! -Sharona, J., NJ

Excuse of the Day for 6/14/07:

"We were withholding the rent from the previous owner (I'd just bought the place) because the stove and refrigerator don't work." I went shopping that day and replaced the stove and fridge for them right away. Then, they tell me, "Oh, we can't pay for another two weeks because we paid other bills with the money." Hmmm, I wonder if that has anything to do with the new Nintendo Wii I saw in their apartment.... - Trisha A., Tulsa, OK

Excuse of the Day for 6/11/07:

"The roof began leaking and I had a roofer come and make repairs. I didn't get the bill yet, so I don't know about the rent yet."
This was the note in the envelope instead of the rent. - Gene C., Fort Wayne, IN

Excuse of the Day for 6/8/07:

"My boyfriend and I bought a car for my daughter for $300.00. On the way home we were pulled over and the car was stolen. I've been in jail all night and my boyfriend still is. I used the rent money to pay for bail." - Mark J.

Excuse of the Day for 6/4/07:

"My mom's not here! Come back tomorrow!"
Dude! I know this is an excuse because I get the same thing each month about 5 times. - Jeff S, CA

Excuse of the Day for 5/30/07:

"I can't meet you to pay rent because I have no way to get there because I lost my job because my wife jumped out of my tow truck doing 30MPH two weeks ago and I lost my job... We are on our way to shock trauma right now !" No explanation needed. - Doug D., MD

Excuse of the Day for 5/28/07:

"You didn't supply a lawnmower. You didn't supply a BBQ. You didn't even give us garbage pails, and now you want the rent?"
Those items are not included. Look in your lease. - Alex J., VT

Excuse of the Day for 5/20/07:

"My last landlord reimbused me for the mulch and all my plantings. If you don't reimbuse me for these improvements, I will hold back the rent."
Sorry. My LPA Lease requires the tenant to maintain and care for the grounds. I didn't agree anywhere to buy mulch or any other gardening products. I resolved the matter with a handy Notice to Pay Rent or Quit form. - Marsala Anderson, NY

Excuse of the Day for 5/11/07:

"Well the "lease" is valid and I have 30 days to leave."
Unfortunately for the tenant, his "lease" was in default since May 2006, the judge read him the default paragraph...and told him that his 30 days to leave was back in March, judgment for the PLAINTIFF, be out in 10 days.!! - Amy Kalkaska, MI

Excuse of the Day for 5/10/07:

"I will have to check with the people who live here with us and have a meeting tonight (who are not on the lease of course) to see how much money they have towards rent, we'll get back to you after I find out." (10 days late already!) - Natalie Sterling, Charles Town, WV

Excuse of the Day for 5/08/07:

We were in court for a money judgment, tenant says:
"I don't know why I'm here, he's just trying to get money for when I lived there." It's not really an excuse but it was a good one. The judge actually gave me a little more than twice what I was asking for. Pennies from heaven or what? Now I just have to collect. - Kerry from Michigan. LPA member.

Excuse of the Day for 5/06/07:

"I lost my phone at her mother's house." - Waters, LA

Excuse of the Day for 5/04/07:

"My bank told me to come back tomorrow. I got some out of the ATM but I will have to go back to the bank to get the rest." – I politely informed him he could increase his ATM withdraw limit by calling the 800 number on the back of his card. If he had the money in his account the bank would let him withdraw it when he was at the teller. Thank god for late fees. - Chris E, Roseville, California

Excuse of the Day for 4/28/07:

"Last night, I fell off the roof [mine!] and broke my collarbone, so I cannot get any money to you [once again]." - Waters, LA

Excuse of the Day for 4/21/07:

"The rent is only $700. You own lots of houses and collect tons of rent. Why is my $700. such a big deal to you?" If you think your rent is so low, why can't you pay it? She ignores my late notices and now I have served a Termination Notice. - Steve S., Bellmore, NY

Excuse of the Day for 4/14/07:

"I'll pay you on Wednesday - I have 46 thousand dollars in my account and I am worth 2 million dollars. How can I not afford to pay you $3870?! In fact I can pay you for two months in advance." On a Friday before the weekend, after 13 days of being late and his $500 utility payment bouncing - God only knows why he has to wait to pay it on Wednesday of next week! - P.S. Norco, CA

Excuse of the Day for 4/5/07:

"My tax return is in the process of being processed, and I should get it by Monday, so I can mail it by the end of the week." Unfortunately for him, his wife used that excuse last month stating that she was to have gotten the tax return 4 days prior to her making this phone call to me...This phone call was made on a Thursday morning, tax return on Monday the following week and cant get it in the mail until Friday?? - Amy W., Ohio

Excuse of the Day for 3/31/07:

"My girlfriend's kids are getting taken away, so they're not giving her a welfare check anymore. I need her welfare check to pay my rent." Here's the kicker--his girlfriend doesn't even live there! I sure hope he's out in the alotted three days, because I'm sure it won't look good for her in child court if he was evicted because she couldn't fork over her welfare check any more. - Kendra F., OH

Excuse of the Day for 3/28/07:

"I had to pay the gas bill it was more than 600 dollars, but my daughter and her baby just moved in so I did not want them to turn it off. This is what our tenant said to our eviction attorney today about why she did not pay Feb or March rent. Too bad the daughter and the baby, your other daughter and her boyfriend, and the six cats are not approved by us or Section 8. - Donna, E. Haven, CT

Excuse of the Day for 3/22/07:

"My roommate didn't give me his part of rent (roommate not on lease) so I have to wait for them to pay me so that I can pay you. BTW I got a puppy over the weekend and he needs his shots, so I might be a little late with rent." - J Warburton Newburgh, NY

Excuse of the Day for 3/20/07:

"My Mother doesn't like the home, So I don't see the need to pay the rent since I'm leaving on the 18th." Today is the 19th and she's still there. I just filed for eviction. She'll be out alright. - Tim, Mesquite, Texas

Excuse of the Day for 3/19/07:

"I just bought all new furniture. Come and see how great your place looks now." I don't care how nice your new furniture looks in my house. Just think how it will look on the curb after the eviction. - Adam C., PA

Excuse of the Day for 3/15/07:

"Its not fair! You are charging less rent to the other apartment. You're ripping me off! I'm going to sue you if you don't lower may rent." It is none of your business what my other tenants pay. Now you owe late charges too, idiot. - Theresa L., Tustin, CA

Excuse of the Day for 3/11/07:

"I’m not sure if I left the window unlocked but when I got home the door was wide open and they stole a laptop some other items and this months rent. But I’m worried about the rent. I talked to my parents and they said filing a police report won’t do any good." Okay, call the police and file a report they may have a suspect for similar reports filled. Or are you the suspect? - Lee C., MS

Excuse of the Day for 3/10/07:

"Jet Blue lost my suitcase and it had the rent in it." I don't believe it. That the rent was in the suitcase. - John, Fort Myers, FL

Excuse of the Day for 3/06/07:

"My truck was broken into and all my tools were stolen." Unfortunately his insurance only covers the truck and not his $5K worth of tools. More unfortunately, I don't have my rent! - Kenny G., NY

Excuse of the Day for 2/28/07:

"I can't pay you because I have been so stressed. I will have a doctors note to explain why I can not pay the rent." - Renee D., Sonora, CA

Excuse of the Day for 2/12/07:

"I'm not paying the rent because I want YOU to pay for the damage to MY car." The tenant parked his new car on the lawn (which is not allowed), and part of it sunk into a sinkhole causing scratches on one side. The car had to be towed out of the hole. I'm looking for payment for the damage to the property. - Marissa C., PA

Excuse of the Day for 2/7/07:

"I can't pay you because I had to get my tag for our truck .We got pulled over". (the vehicle was already tagged) I told them to pay up or they were going to end up living in their truck. - L.B., Wagoner, OK

Excuse of the Day for 2/1/07:

"I don't want to give you a check if I don't have the money. I can't tell you why I don't have the rent. It's personal." - JC, BVR Management, NY

Excuse of the Day for 1/28/07:

"The electric and gas was turned off for over 2 weeks. The place was uninhabitable. UNINHABITABLE!." - The utilities are in the the tenant's name and are the tenant's responsibility to pay. Even if the utilities are turned off I still want my rent. I think the judge is going to laugh at this one. - Monique W., Toledo, OH

Excuse of the Day for 1/22/07:

"I'm pregnant and having a miscarriage." - I did feel bad for her the first time- but when she used the same excuse 3 months later I realized I'd been foiled! - Michelle, Michigan

Excuse of the Day for 1/17/07:

"I waited for you to come by and pick it up. I wasn't going to wait forever so I spent it." Why do you think I gave you pre-addressed envelopes, MORON? Eviction time! AAAAAHHH!!! - Perry C., Brooklyn, NY

Excuse of the Day for 1/14/07:

"You know I don't have the money. If you harrass me one more time, I'm leaving." They are behind more than a month. I don't think it is harrassment. I hope they do leave because I'm ready to hire a lawyer. - Angie H., Mission Viejo, CA

Excuse of the Day for 1/11/07:

"When I sell my son's car, I'll have the rent. Ain't gettin outa jail for some time. Uh-hu." I didn't even know he was in jail. Turns out he's been there for the last few months. I don't know what he's in for, but it looks like mom has run out of ways to pay the rent. - L. Stanton, Huntington, NY

Excuse of the Day for 1/9/07:

"Can I use my credit card to pay my rent? I want to build up reward points on my card." - When I told him I don't take credit cards he refused to pay. What does he think I am - Walmart? - Joey B., Uniondale, NY

Excuse of the Day for 1/8/07:

"The A/C is broken again." - The tenant was required to maintain a service contract on the 5 year old appliances including the air conditioner. It's in the lease. - George L., Tampa, FL

Excuse of the Day for 1/5/07:

"I decided to apply the rent towards the new doorway we made into the livingroom. Wait til you see it. You won't recognize the place." - We already had a door into the livingroom. What wall was destroyed without permission? I smell an eviction beginning soon this year. - Steve S., BVR Mgmt

Excuse of the Day for 12/29/06:

"I haven't slept there so I won't pay rent! " - by Edith

Excuse of the Day for 12/21/06:

"My son's girlfriend left him. That put him in a tizzie. Now he is in rehab and not working. I'm sorry I just don't have it all. You will have to be patient."
I'm sorry, but my bank has no patience and they never waive a late charge, so I can't either. If this isn't cleared up within 5 days, you will also have to come up with legal fees to stop the eviction. Good luck. - George B., NY

Excuse of the Day for 12/15/06:

"Don't worry, we'll have this months rent after Joey sells his X-box. They are selling for big bucks for Christmas. We should have invested in more of them." - Walter H., Colorado Springs, CO

Excuse of the Day for 12/11/06:

"I know I am two months behindon rent but......can you give me another 30 days? My boyfriend is unemployed and I want to buy a car." - Julie, Michigan

Excuse of the Day for 12/5/06:

"My family comes first and I haven't even finished my Christmas shopping. If I have anything left this month, I'll send you the rent, Mr. Scrooge!" - Steve S., BVR Mgmt

Excuse of the Day for 12/4/06:

"How do I know that you are who you say you are? My lawyer wants proof that you are the landlord." - After 6 months of living here and paying late every month, I told him that unless he pays the rent plus the late fees, he'll find out in eviction court who the owner is. - Marcia C., CA

Excuse of the Day for 11/28/06:

"My accountant told me not to pay you until you give me your social security number so I can fill out a 1099 form for the IRS to report my payments to you." - I said either get a new accountant or get a new apartment. If you don't pay the rent my lawyer will evict you very quickly! - Jack Klein, NY

Excuse of the Day for 11/25/06:

"I broke my toe badly. Half the rent went to the foot doctor who saved my toe." - You mean I'm late on my mortgage because of your toe? - Irving G., Miami, FL

Excuse of the Day for 11/20/06:

"I decided to hold back the rent until you put in a new bathroom floor." - The floor had a couple of cracked tiles. When she moved in she asked if that will be fixed. I said we'd get to it if we can match the tiles. I know this is a lame excuse because she is stalling for time since she is late with the rent every month. I think the only way to deal with her is through a lawyer. - Art C., PA

Excuse of the Day for 11/14/06:

"My brother just got out of jail and broke in and stole our money. You have to wait till we get it back." - Get it back? I hope so and soon. I already called my lawyer. - Mario R., in NY

Excuse of the Day for 11/7/06:

"My husband had to use it to replace the garage door and also for the dentist. I have proof. Here are the receipts." - I have proof of no rent you trailer trash reject. - Paulie C., FL

Excuse of the Day for 11/5/06:

"Why the hell do you keep asking? I have never not paid rent. It's the fact you keep asking that I am not paying." - Heliana Chapman

Excuse of the Day for 10/28/06:

"Hey, I can't pay my rent this month because I bought a painting at the Church Art Auction...." - Sal, NY

Excuse of the Day for 10/26/06:

"Do you enjoy playing God almighty, in making demands or do you want to talk with us about the rent check?"
This is from the tenant on 06/22/2006 via a letter in my door. This concerns the bounced check they gave me. I talked to my tenants about it and they said they were eating and to visit in an hour. I went back and they did not answer the door so I left a Pay Rent or Quit notice. They later stated that the doorbell must not have worked. They have since left the premises. I have learned never to be a nice person to tenants. - Anthony Belleville, Illinois

Excuse of the Day for 10/24/06:

"Now that the rent is increased, I am not sure of when I'll be able to pay the rent. I am looking to save money to buy a condo."
I'll guess I'll be able to make her wish come true when I have her evicted to pursue her dreams quicker. - Evelyn, NYC

Excuse of the Day for 10/15/06:

"You should feel lucky I could pay you half of the rent, because my husband’s paycheck is being garnished."
I should feel lucky because the half of the rent is still missing?! - M.S., Malgoska, CO

Excuse of the Day for 10/14/06:

"Oh, I meant to pay you three days ago."
After reminding on the 7th of the month that the rent is due on the first of the month. Yes indeed, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. - M.S., Malgoska, CO

Excuse of the Day for 10/3/06:

"I just paid a large unexpected tax bill. Now I need trauma counciling."
I know how that feels. I still can't sit normally, so I'll be lienient, but just this one time. - Steve, NY

Excuse of the Day for 10/2/06:

"The rent is the last thing on my mind. I have more important problems right now."
She wouldn't elaborate and she wouldn't give me any indication of when the rent will be paid. I have no choice but to evict. - Dominic C., IL

Excuse of the Day for 9/26/06:

"Why should I pay rent if I'm gonna buy the house next month?"
Who ever said the house was for sale? - Margo M., ME

Excuse of the Day for 9/25/06:

"My son was supposed to pay you."
She said this each time we tried to collect after the rent was not paid by the 5th. Now it is the 25th and they are not responding to notices and even our attorney's letter. I even left a message stating that if they don't pay this week, they will have to pay the attorney's fee in order to stop the eviction, which will be in court the first week of October. - Mare M., Long Island, NY

Excuse of the Day for 9/21/06:

"I can't pay the rent because things are really rough at work."
This was said as I was looking at their two brand new Ducati motorcycles in the parking lot. They moved out in the middle of the night a few days later to avoid eviction. - Leanne P., Rollinsford, NH

Excuse of the Day for 9/17/06:

"I got 3 kids in college. What do ya want from me?"
I want the rent on time as agreed. Otherwise you can go live with your 3 kids at college. - Larry C., Connecticut

Excuse of the Day for 9/10/06:

"I'm not giving half my paycheck to some stupid kid."
I just bought an already occupied three unit rental home, and the tenants in one apartment seem to have a problem, not only with paying the rent, but with the fact that I'm 24 as well. Hope they like getting evicted by "some stupid kid" a little better. - Kendra F.,

Excuse of the Day for 9/8/06:

"My husband is an alcoholic and he has been having blackouts. We don't know what happened to the rent money."
Like this is a legitimate excuse for not paying rent? I think I will include the question of whether the applicant drinks or has done drugs on the rental application next time. - Jesse U., Seaford, NY

Excuse of the Day for 9/4/06:

"I am out of town and can't get to a bank. My dog had a heart attack and I have to stay with him here while he has surgery. I will be gone for 8 to 10 days and will try to get you the rent when I get back."
This rent was 3 weeks late. I thought that she was original if nothing else. - April Robinson, Canada
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