Tenant Threatens to Report Me

[JenniSam]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MI

I am located in Michigan. I am renting out a property that I own free and clear. My tenants are on a month to month lease and notified me in writing (via sticky note) on 8/15 they will be moving at the end of the month. Although, they did not provide 30 days I am ok with that because they are not very clean tenants and they are actually behind on payments. They have not paid rent due 8/1/10. However, on the note they requested that I give them until 9/5/10 and they would “try” to move out by that day but they do not have the funds to rent a truck to move. I responded in writing and explained that I would not allow the extra time without charging them because I need that time to ready the property to show to prospective tenants. As a result, my tenant threatened to “report me” stating I am supposed to be living in the property. I asked her to explain but she wouldn't. I really don’t know what she is referring to, why she would report me or who she would report me to. I can only assume this is a bully or stall tactic. Has anyone experienced this tactic? Up until now we’ve had no problems, complaints or issues. Should I send them a 7 Day Notice to Quit or wait to see if they move. Not sure what my next step should be.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[Antigone*]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MI

I am located in Michigan. I am renting out a property that I own free and clear. My tenants are on a month to month lease and notified me in writing (via sticky note) on 8/15 they will be moving at the end of the month. Although, they did not provide 30 days I am ok with that because they are not very clean tenants and they are actually behind on payments. They have not paid rent due 8/1/10. However, on the note they requested that I give them until 9/5/10 and they would “try” to move out by that day but they do not have the funds to rent a truck to move. I responded in writing and explained that I would not allow the extra time without charging them because I need that time to ready the property to show to prospective tenants. As a result, my tenant threatened to “report me” stating I am supposed to be living in the property. I asked her to explain but she wouldn't. I really don’t know what she is referring to, why she would report me or who she would report me to. I can only assume this is a bully or stall tactic. Has anyone experienced this tactic? Up until now we’ve had no problems, complaints or issues. Should I send them a 7 Day Notice to Quit or wait to see if they move. Not sure what my next step should be.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

Why didn't you send them a pay or quit notice the moment they failed to pay you the August rent. If you know that you are not doing anything illegal or improper with your property, take the legal measures the law affords.

Do not allow yourself to be bullied.

 

[JenniSam]

I know that sometimes life happens so I wanted to reasonable but I am not trying let them walk all over me either. This is my first rental and my first tenant. You are right I am not doing anything illegal. That is why I asked, just in case someone knew something or encountered something out of the box I had never heard of. To be honest, they have been ok tenants and they notified me when they knew the rent would be late. I felt that was better than no communication at all and was willing to work with them. The tenant is moving because friend of the court has ordered her to live in same school dist as her ex in order to have joint custody. I was fine with that and we discussed meeting to write up payment plan. It wasn’t until I stated that she would not be allowed extra time that she became angry and difficult and came up with reporting me, but she never said to whom or why. I refused to let her stay until the 5th because I suspected that the 5th would turn into the 10th and then the 15th.

I hate to over react early but I guess this is lesson learned.

Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Zigner]

I know that sometimes life happens so I wanted to reasonable but I am not trying let them walk all over me either. This is my first rental and my first tenant.

You are running a business. You need to treat it as such.

 

[applecruncher]

I hate to over react early but I guess this is lesson learned.

I hardly think that going along (several times, as you've indicated) with late rent payment then getting fed up is overreacting.