REFERENCES

I gave out a reference the other day for some tenants that pay rent to me in some property that I manage. It was agreed ahead of time that I would do this. You see I found out that the owner was planning to sell the property in 2-3 months from now and my first thought was to give as much notice to the renters as possible.

WHY?

These people had paid rent on time, taken care of the place and worked well with me when things had to be done. Now, it was my turn to return that gesture with something meaningful and equally important to them as their conduct was to me. I gave them extra notice and also promised references

THE REFERENCE

I got the call from a high energy property manager young lady who asked the right questions and listened to me when I answered. She was convinced that these were good people to have and that I stood behind them. She knew this as did I...right in the moment of our conversation. Truth shared!

AFTERMATH

After wards and later on, I got a text from the tenants saying thank you... mentioning the phone call and the good recommendation/reference that I gave them. My response to them was so simple because it was and always will be:

YOU CREATED THAT REFERENCE BY BEING WHO YOU ARE AND DOING WHAT YOU DID

It had nothing to do with me but to just repeat what happened during our relationship. We both did what was required and nothing but good came out of it. Even if something unexpected did happen, how we handled it was still worthy of good commenting regardless. Why?  Because these people are upright and honest

TREATMENT OF OTHERS

Is it about what brings us together or more who we are when we come together? Pause here and consider what I just said. All of us want and pursue the same things, thoughts, feelings and dreams so when we cross paths professionally or otherwise, why not lend/share with each other the best in us?

THE NOT SO GOOD REFERENCE

I will bring some balance to this subject as well. I had a tenant that became very high maintenance both personally and professionally. Two people who were employed became un-employed and then as life often does, applies one thing after another causing us to have to stop and take note.

YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE

These two people, had a habit of projecting problems, blaming others and their circumstances and making problems were none existed became unruly and unreasonable (I am leaving a lot out). I worked with them (reluctantly) and was glad when they gave notice to move without going into the details. Even the parting of the ways was strained and had the potential to get nasty...

BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT

I discussed with the owner about giving them all their deposit back when in reality, they had accumulated late charges that clearly called for undisputed payment deductions. The owner and I didn't want to further burden these people and let them go. Money for them was crucial

BITTER SWEET MEMORIES

Fast forward about a year later. They wanted a reference and I was shocked that they had the gall to even use this past tenancy to do so. When I got the call from the property manager, my tone was serious but cooperative and I answered yes and no in such a way that caused this lady to ask me this

THE QUESTION

Richie, would you rent to them again? Up until this time, I was keeping it as neutral as I could, wanting to be fair, and keep things in perspective and balance but this question was the telling point in this conversation. NO...I would not rent to them again. Then, the dreaded why not followed after that

RENT ISSUES

Choosing my words carefully, being aware of how these people think and react, wanting to be fair and honest at the same time, I simply said, they became high maintenance at some point and while they paid the rent eventually, it was not how we agreed. Instead of once a month, it was 1-3 payments

PRESSING ME FOR MORE

But they did pay eventually so what was the problem says the reference caller. Not wanting to disclose the actual circumstances that took place long time ago for whatever reasons, I simply said this. Why should we rent to someone who pays sporadically? We want the pay once a month tenant that's all

IT'S YOUR STORY NOT MINE

Notice the difference between the two references I shared. I wrote more about the negative than the positive. Isn't this where everything finally comes down too? If what is being offered, purchased or serviced is as presented, we all know and get it and life goes on. When it is not, you get the long story

REALITY

The power to create the reference or outcome lies with us all. It starts with us and ends with us and what ever took place is what took place and becomes part of the travel history of those involved. This is a good thing to remember as you go through life and miscellaneous circumstances