In yesterday’s post I came clean with a major problem I was having with my two newest tenants.  

 

I had allowed them in one of my units  along with their adorable but loud pooch who was keeping all the other tenants and neighbors awake almost 24/7.

 

Reason for all the barking from a supposedly quiet non-barkable dog?

 

Both tenants are emergency room nurses and yes, they work the night shift- which means little Jack, the dog, is often left alone not  only all night, but also for most of the daytime while they are asleep.

 

 

Why  do people like this become pet owners in the first place?

 

Their story was touching.  Little Jack was found wandering near the back entrance of the hospital on a very cold  January day.  He was starving and alone.  They had to do something.

 

Okay.  But I convinced  them they needed to do something else.  Find another good home for him where he could get the emotional attention he so desperately needed.  And my other tenants could get some sleep.  

 

Here’s how I did it:

1. Be honest- but with a little bluffing

 

I presented the problem to them.  Then I told them what the consequences for the problem were.  I explained that the other tenants and neighbors were complaining and something had to be done.

 

That dog was going, with or without them. 

 

They could tear up the lease on the spot and get everything totally moved out within several days and I would give them their money back.

 

 

2. Never let them know you’re scared and don’t show fear.

 

I presented myself as confident.  I didn’t need the money.  My meals would be on time no matter what they decided. 

 

Of course, moving them out and having to replace them with  even newer tenants was the last thing I wanted to see happen.  

 

My point is never show  them all  your cards.

 

 

3. Do not lose your temper

 

I never raised my voice, but I did look them straight in the eye  while I was  scolding them.  And yes, I didn’t sugarcoat it.

 

They had not been totally forthwith with me and I reminded them of that.  And they had pushed a couple of my buttons.

 

But the conversation remained civilized even though it took three attempts in person and several phone calls for me to finally get them to the door.  (They were asleep, mind you).

 

 

4. Never give a tenant an ultimatum unless you have read them correctly

 

 

Just like anything else, being a landlord is an exercise in psychology.

 

This pair did not show any emotion.  I could not get them riled. They were polite and lady-like  through the entire ordeal. 

 

But I was able to pick up their signals anyway.  I was able to discover they did not want to move.  I had them in the palm of my hand. 

 

 

 

5.  Nip the  problem in the bud before it gets out of control

 

This is the most important point of all. 

 

When a problem first surfaces with a tenant, it will be there from  on unless you do something about it -NOW.  That’s up to you.

 

In most cases, it will not go away on its own or end if you ignore it.  That’s the worst thing you can do.

 

Most of the time, if you handle them right and with  tact you can get the problem solved fast and efficiently.  And you probably won’t have any more trouble with them throughout the lease.

 

That’s because they know you mean business.  After all, you are  in a very lucrative business.  Treat it like the successful enterprise it can be for you and your family.  

 

 

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