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Tenant Excuses That Are Overused

By Mimi Foster

Real Estate Agent with Falcon Property Company

April 24, 2017 07:03 PM

Tenant Excuses I Don’t Want to Hear Again

Being a Realtor is sometimes challenging, but listing a home with renters can put a whole new spin on the process.

Why do I have to pay the last month’s rent if I’ve already moved out?
Why do I have to have the carpets cleaned if we never used those rooms?
We left the house cleaner than when we found it.
That big hole in the wall was there when we moved in.
But your property manager told us we could have our four service dogs.
I never got a call back when I told you the water was leaking.
The St. Bernard is just visiting.
It’s my house and you can’t show it until I’m out.
I checked online and it says we don’t have to pay the last month’s rent if the owner is selling.

I've heard a variation of all of these in the past month. Young or old, some people have a hard time taking responsibility.

Please feel free to add to the list.

Originally published as Tenant Excuses That are Overused

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Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

You've pretty much covered it, Mimi! I've heard the one about the "visiting dogs" several times!

Apr 25, 2017 01:45 AM

Mimi Foster

Colorado Springs, CO

Mimi Foster

And they think they're so clever. :)

Apr 25, 2017 05:07 AM

Kat Palmiotti

eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT

Helping your Montana dreams take root

Trying to sell a house with tenants in it can be very challenging!

Apr 25, 2017 03:41 AM

Mimi Foster

Colorado Springs, CO

Mimi Foster

I've had four or five this spring. Pretty sure it's not my favorite.

Hope you're well.

Apr 25, 2017 05:08 AM

Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI

HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA

Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Those are some new ones, Mimi Foster and when we did property management, we heard so many more creative moments of insanity. Make one wonder what the parents were like?

Apr 25, 2017 04:01 AM

Mimi Foster

Colorado Springs, CO

Mimi Foster

My husband and I used to have quite a few college rentals and I thought that often. But the ones I've heard this past month have been adults who think they're very clever.

Apr 25, 2017 05:10 AM

James Dray

Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Mimi. Where is the famous line... The check is in the mail?

Apr 25, 2017 04:02 AM

Mimi Foster

Colorado Springs, CO

Mimi Foster

And all it's variations . . . "It was only a day late! Why did you charge me a late fee?" or "I mailed it on the first. I don't know why it hasn't reached you by the tenth."

Thanks, James!

Apr 25, 2017 05:12 AM

Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ

(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Mimi Foster - I feel your pain. Some renters are gems and others are ....well you know!

Apr 25, 2017 05:35 AM

Mimi Foster

Colorado Springs, CO

Mimi Foster

I've run into my share of the . . . well-you-knows lately :)

Apr 25, 2017 06:26 AM

Joe Pryor

The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK

REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Fotunately my property management company doesn't have to evict many tenants like this.

Apr 25, 2017 07:42 AM

Mimi Foster

Colorado Springs, CO

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

We are seeing a spate of owners, Joe Pryor, who are finally able to sell without having to bring money to the table after purchasing in the 2007 - 2008 window, so they're not renewing leases. Tenants who have been in homes 3 to 10 years have begun to feel like they shouldn't have to move.

Apr 25, 2017 08:08 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Gainesville, VA

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Accidental landlords and entitled tenants are not a good combination. Glad your market is rising and giving those owners the ability to sell.

Apr 25, 2017 07:28 PM

Mimi Foster

Colorado Springs, CO

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Mimi --- "tenant management" is all about proper documentation. Along with a lot of patience.

Apr 30, 2017 07:21 AM

Mimi Foster

Colorado Springs, CO

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

I'm learning new levels of patience in dealing with quite a few listings lately that have tenants, Michael Jacobs, and am surprised at the new heights of entitlement.

Apr 30, 2017 07:32 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Jon Kolsky

Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA

Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Mimi Foster ~ lol... As a longtime landlord, I've heard them all and much more. But trying to sell a home with the renter in the home? You need to be more than superhuman because the bar demands it... The good news is - I know you can handle it all and much more!

Jun 12, 2017 08:49 AM

Mimi Foster

Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO

Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Good morning, Jon Kolsky. I have taken a position with a friend's Property Management company that was in desperate need of a Realtor who could handle all of the sales of owners who were now solvent after purchasing in 2007 and 2008 and could now walk away with some equity. I currently have 17 listings with tenants and I am constantly shocked at their attitudes. Not for the faint of heart, that's for darned sure. Thanks so much for your kind words.

Jun 12, 2017 09:06 AM

Jon Kolsky

Long Beach, CA

Jon Kolsky

WOW... 17? That's ca-ca-crazy! I have had to deal with 2 sales with renters involved. Thankfully, I had a lot of room in between and they were at different times. You're a true professional and superwoman, that's for sure

Jun 12, 2017 09:22 AM

Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets

Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA

CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Wow...I've heard a few too over the past 35 years, I've been in property management longer than any other career I've had...tough to escape the family business.

Jul 04, 2017 06:55 AM

Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...

La Jolla, CA

Sonja Patterson

Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX

Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

And, "Just use my security deposit for the last month's rent." Ummm...no. ;)

Sep 19, 2017 07:50 PM

Brenda Whitman, Live in Laramie Real Estate

Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming - Laramie, WY

Broker/Co-Owner, Laramie, Wyoming

I had some wonderful folks want to list a house with a problem tenant in it last year (at tenant that did NOT want to move). We waited to list until she was moved out, otherwise she would have made it very difficult!

Oct 14, 2017 06:05 PM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville