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Messy Tenant but we love him

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evcalyptos

Senior Member
What is the name of your state? Oregon

Being ever the diplomat, I'd like to handle this situation delicately.

Tenant has been in, and been a good one, for 4+ years. We are NOT trying to get rid of him, quite the contrary.

We've been on a maintanence binge; have just turned one unit (triplex) over. This is an ideal time to catch up on other work. This tenant is quite private and very shy. He works nights, so we don't see him often and the owners/landlords have not been inside the apartment in at least 3 years.

Today, the handyman was around back replacing a window screen and was able to see inside the vinyl floored eating area/kitchen. He reports that the eating area and into the living room are FULL of recycling stuffs. Bags and boxes of, well, bags, boxes, bottles and cans etc. There is weekly curbside pickup of recycling with the garbage here, so no "need" to keep the stuff.

I would like to approach tenant about this diplomatically. AND, I don't want him to keep the stuff inside. This is the center unit and obviously the materials represent a fire hazard, not to mention rodants or insects.

We have considered announcing an inspection to look for repairs (valid. this tenant had an unreported running toilet that went undetected for 6 months until the water bill gave it away/we pay water). We would give him several days notice instead of 24hrs, giving him ample time to clean up (he's on day shifts now) and avoid embarassment or the need to bring the subject up at all. BUT what if he's got OCD or there's some other odd reason he's collecting his garbage indoors? Does anyone have experience in dealing with this type of situation so as to stay on good terms?

Other ideas gladly received.
ev
 


I AM ALWAYS LIABLE

Senior Member
evcalyptos said:
What is the name of your state? Oregon

Being ever the diplomat, I'd like to handle this situation delicately.

Tenant has been in, and been a good one, for 4+ years. We are NOT trying to get rid of him, quite the contrary.

We've been on a maintanence binge; have just turned one unit (triplex) over. This is an ideal time to catch up on other work. This tenant is quite private and very shy. He works nights, so we don't see him often and the owners/landlords have not been inside the apartment in at least 3 years.

Today, the handyman was around back replacing a window screen and was able to see inside the vinyl floored eating area/kitchen. He reports that the eating area and into the living room are FULL of recycling stuffs. Bags and boxes of, well, bags, boxes, bottles and cans etc. There is weekly curbside pickup of recycling with the garbage here, so no "need" to keep the stuff.

I would like to approach tenant about this diplomatically. AND, I don't want him to keep the stuff inside. This is the center unit and obviously the materials represent a fire hazard, not to mention rodants or insects.

We have considered announcing an inspection to look for repairs (valid. this tenant had an unreported running toilet that went undetected for 6 months until the water bill gave it away/we pay water). We would give him several days notice instead of 24hrs, giving him ample time to clean up (he's on day shifts now) and avoid embarassment or the need to bring the subject up at all. BUT what if he's got OCD or there's some other odd reason he's collecting his garbage indoors? Does anyone have experience in dealing with this type of situation so as to stay on good terms?

Other ideas gladly received.
ev


My response:

You haven't asked a "legal" question - - except slightly, concerning noticed entry. But, unless there is, in fact, a fire hazard (and you're not an expert to "make that call", or there's no rodent/insect problem) you have no right to enter or tell someone how to live there life.

You actually need a medical site to help you understand the "Pack Rat Syndrome".

IAAL
 

evcalyptos

Senior Member
I AM ALWAYS LIABLE said:
My response:

You haven't asked a "legal" question - - except slightly, concerning noticed entry. But, unless there is, in fact, a fire hazard (and you're not an expert to "make that call", or there's no rodent/insect problem) you have no right to enter or tell someone how to live there life.

You actually need a medical site to help you understand the "Pack Rat Syndrome".

IAAL
Welll, it is a "legal" question in the sense that I'm tip-toeing around the issue of 'keeping the premises in a clean and sanitary condition". This is the subject that needs to be broached with the tenant. I presume there is a standard legal procedure to follow to notify tenants that they are not maintaining C&S conditions and I wonder if anyone has had a positive way of dealing with this rather than one that would offend/chase away the tenant.

True call about reseaching Pack Rat-ism via a medical site. May also be a case of too much information...
 

I AM ALWAYS LIABLE

Senior Member
evcalyptos said:
Welll, it is a "legal" question in the sense that I'm tip-toeing around the issue of 'keeping the premises in a clean and sanitary condition". This is the subject that needs to be broached with the tenant. I presume there is a standard legal procedure to follow to notify tenants that they are not maintaining C&S conditions and I wonder if anyone has had a positive way of dealing with this rather than one that would offend/chase away the tenant.

True call about reseaching Pack Rat-ism via a medical site. May also be a case of too much information...

My response:

Forgive me, but when did you get your PhD. in Health? Now, I haven't seen the place; however, can you tell me, with certainty, at what point does an abode become "unclean" and "unsanitary"?

Do you have a 24/7 maid and butler service for your home? Perhaps if someone came into your home, they'd find some dirty conditions, and deem your home to be "unsanitary". Have you cleaned your toilets today?

So, please, don't be a buttinsky unless there's some "exigent" reasons for your entry, and some "exigent" reasons for your telling someone how to live their life. You haven't mentioned any "exigent" reasons - - only that his abode doesn't meet "your" standards of living.

If you need to be a buttinsky, make sure you bring a Fireman and a Health Inspector with you. Otherwise, your opinion about his living conditions are worthless.

IAAL
 

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