Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty?

Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Annoyed LL (Northeast) on June 4, 2012 @16:37

I am so fed up, just need to vent here - I am renting out a 1 bedroom condo since my tenant's informed me she took a job out of state and will move by end of the month.

I have had an very detailed ad (with 6 pictures) out on Craigslist and other websites like Sublet.com/eRental.com and my ad specifically says "Please call me at (123) XXX-12345 to schedule an appointment to view the apartment" I specifically state I will ask for employment confirmation/pay stubs and a credit check.

I can't get over how difficult this is for some interested tenants. They either email, or when they do call - they speak to me with an attitude of "ok - well here is my phone number if you want to work with my schedule.."

Uhm..Excuse me?!?! I am the one offering housing - you need to apply first and get past my screening before you assume I am just going to hand over the keys!!

I had one lady call me yesterday, while I was driving, I tell her "ok please call me in about 20 minutes so I can give you more info and discuss the apartment, set up a time to meet.." and her response is "ohh..you're busy. Can't you just take note of my phone number and call me back. Tonight between 7 and 10 pm is good for me."

Last week, I had a tenant who called me TWICE to set up an appointment - she calls me at 5 pm to confirm her appointment at 8 pm. I am in front the apartment at 8 pm, I see she is running late - she tells me "oh yes, I am on my way! be there in 15 minutes!" Her boyfriend sends me a text message, "yes she will be there."

NO APPEARANCE BY HER AT ALL. I waited like a moron until 10 pm waiting for her to show up.

I am SO FED UP. I hate being a Landlord if this is the crap I have to deal with!!!

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Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Anonymous on June 4, 2012 @16:41	[ Reply ]

Did the tenant who is leaving give you proper notice? If not there are penalties for breaking the lease.

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty?

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Julie in PA on June 4, 2012 @17:19	[ Reply ]

I've been doing this for a long time so I don't get too attached to the outcome. I only wait 15 minutes. If they don't show, I leave. Today I got a call 1 hour before a lease signing that the applicant needs 2 more days to decide. I could have had my hopes up but I don't because this has happened before. I used to take things personally and it drove me insane. Now I treat the properties as a business and take the wear and tear in stride. I just ripped out an entire house of 2yo carpeting due to the cat pee smell and the T used their security deposit as their last month's rent despite my threats to report it, etc. This stuff happens often enough that you better let it go of you'll go nuts.

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by NY-LL on June 4, 2012 @17:34	[ Reply ]

Screen the tenants first prior to viewing to ensure they are responsible people (get work telephone) and meet your minimum requirements. Set appointment times that are convenient for most people, such as Friday evenings between 5:00pm-8:00pm or Saturday between 11:00am-1:00pm. Schedule appointments on a date when two appointments can meet simultaneously or approximately the same time, for safety and security. Request tenants telephone one hour prior to appointment to confirm, if not then cancel the appointment. Remember, not all tenant prospects on the Internet are actually legitimate tenants -- some are fraudulent, criminal, or gamesters with time on their hands (under employed, rejected non-tenants).

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by FL-LL on June 4, 2012 @17:56	[ Reply ]

When I have a scheduled appointment with a potential tenant, I always tell them to call me when they are on their way. I too at the beginning would go to the property and wait for an appointment. I, just like you, was amazed at the number of people who stood me up. As for the rudeness, I have had people try to argue with me about my requirements or the price of the property. I am always suprised at the number of people who call and it is evident that they are drunk or something else. I once hung up from a conversation and told my hubby that I couldn't rent them b/c they were tooo dumb or had serious short term memory loss (kept asking the same questions over and over). Here is the plus side of being an LL. We have met some interesting people over the years. We have established a reputation as being good LL and therefore have former tenants that had moved to town call us to see if we have anything coming up or call us if a friend of theirs is looking for a place. Hang in there.

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Anonymous on June 4, 2012 @18:41	[ Reply ]

You need to be a duck and let that water just roll off your back. Be business like and have a process for viewing and filling out application. They do your procedure or too bad so sad. If they are interested they will comply. The rest are just lookey loos. I would stay until 8:30 and no later. Some will miss appointments and that is good character information for you should they decide to return. Don't sweat this...it's your house, you get to pick. Don't be in a hurry. But also beware of the one that has the monehy right now and wants to sign immediately. Again stick to your guns and do complete background checks. It will work out...give it some time.

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Anonymous on June 4, 2012 @20:12	[ Reply ]

Usually, if they cannot read and follow directions, that's my first sign that I should move on to the next person. There are a lot of stupids out there. Sometimes it seems more like an IQ test than an application process. ha ha

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Pippa on June 4, 2012 @20:35	[ Reply ]

This, many other examples of landlords� attitude to and treatment of their tenants, and the cost of housing (both buying and renting) convinces me that it should be illegal for individuals to own residential property that they don�t live in themselves. The laws, and especially societal norms, are slanted so far in landlords� favour it�s not funny. Renters are genuine second class citizens in this country, thanks to the insane property ownership fetish we have here. The majority of landlords believe that because they own the property they can apply conditions, and treat the renters, at whim. Fair enough � if they are allowing tenants to live in the property for free. But the reality is that renting is a commercial transaction which temporarily transfers ownership and responsibility to the tenant. Landlords butt out!

are you kidding?

Re: are you kidding?

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty?

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Johanna (CA) on June 4, 2012 @22:34	[ Reply ]

if someone gives attitude up front you don't want them for a T. post the place on FB and give all criteria, including that they must provide info for credt/background checks you can then 'friend' them and see what they are like on their FB page - good prescreening as most idiots post things like; just got wasted on pot and drinking beer last night had a great sex experience with multiple guys my babies are screaming and running everywhere, driving me crazy the dog ate through my door last night had a great party but things got out of hand, beer cans and vomit in the tub just a few of the tidbits I found on potential renters pages. didn't give them a response.

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Annie, CA on June 4, 2012 @22:55	[ Reply ]

I treat my tenants with respect and expect the same in return. If these people can't show up for an appointment, they do not want it enough. Move on to someone else.

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Anonymous on June 5, 2012 @01:45	[ Reply ]

It's ok, Annoyed LL. We all understand that even though this is a business for us, we still try to enjoy it if possible. People who are not in the business think they are doing us a favor. They think we will beg them to give us money for our crappy hole in the wall that some roaches wouldn't even live in. Just be secure that knowing that, for whatever reason, you don't have to pay rent because you OWN IT. I'm probably going to jail eventually for punching someone in the nose for wasting my time. It will be worth it.

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Crystal (IA) on June 6, 2012 @11:46	[ Reply ]

I know the feeling all too well. Just this morning someone called about one of my apartments. They called 5 times in a row and left two messages (I was in the shower) When I did talk to them they demanded that I show them the apartment today at a certain time and there was no other option. Also informed me that if they liked it they would be moving in today!! Really???? I told them what time worked for me and it was not today and that IF they meet all MY requirements and passed background and credit check then I may rent to them if I did not have a more qualified applicant. They hung up on me!!

Re: Whats up with todays tenants who act snooty? by Kristina (CA) on June 7, 2012 @23:08	[ Reply ]

I am not sure it's "snootiness" they live really busy lives and do have schedules. There is a lot of demands on people and they are just busy and maybe tired. Unless I read it wrong, it appears you have the attitude of not understanding their busyness or how hard it is to find housing when you work full time. I agree, though, not showing up is rude but it happens all the time. You just have to deal.