Morals

Dolby

Dolby

Honorary Master
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Most of you know my renting woes by now.

We're draftng an eviction letter as we speak. This guys has messed me around over 5 months and this month was the last straw.

I asked my rental agent to list them on ITC for breaching and non payment and there was a silence. After a while she said, 'we can if you really want to, but the next time he attemps to rent anything they'll instantly be refused' and mentioned that we could do at anytime if we want.

Do you think I should actually care about him and his family? :/ I'll be honest - I couldn't actually believe what I heard!
 
Tricky indeed. What would be the use? If he doesn't want to leave, threaten him with the ITC reporting. If he leaves, do you want revenge on him? If that's the reason, maybe reconsider. What you feed grows, what you starve withers. Chalk it up as a bad (learning) experience and kick his ass out.

Of course, never make anyone else's financial problems your own. If he can't pay, he should leave. But his actions should not dictate your "morals". Morals are immovable and non-negotiable (if that's the case with you). Revenge makes you feel worse in the long run.

See it this way: You won't one day regret not doing it. You might regret doing it.
 
What can't you believe?
Have you tried evicting them before?
Evict them and then negotiate a down-payment for the money they still owe you.
I`m sure they will still be able to rent privately from an ad in the newspaper.... not everyone does credit checks.
 
Dolby, CAN the lessee not pay or WILL he not pay ?

I have a lot of sympathy for people who genuinely suffer, but someone who dodges responsibility gets no leniency from me.

Also, someone who makes an effort to comunicate about the problem and attempts at least a partial payment scores brownie points.
 
It's the letting agents morals ; I have no issue with listing them (lease in husbands & wifes name) on ITC and couldn't really be bothered if they do or don't find a place to rent because of me/ITC. As Bondizzo said - did they care about my rent or expenses? I've alway had to contact him *first* and ask 'what's going on this month?' before I heard either :

*My mom has cancer and I'm forgetful ... I'm all over the place
*My company shortpayed me ; accounts are sorting it out
*My childs appendix almost exploded and they needed to sort that out
*I paid the old landlord by error and I'm trying to get it back.

Blu - I'm not sure to be honest because he does't *communicate* and lies when he does. From the very 1st month he said he's battled - but why sign up then? Plus over the last few months he must be saving on other debts due to interest.

I received 80% of rent yesterday (July rent due almost a month ago) - with no communication at all ie didn't tell us before or after

Things would be entirely different had he spoken to me or the agent and said, 'I can't afford it'.
 
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Solve it

Now here's where I feel people are moaning about problems they can prevent. Surely it can't be so hard for estate agents to create a website were you enter an ID nr and it shows you the persons payment history as far as renting goes. That way people don't have to go to ITC but will still have the peace of mind that you've put the word out there about you experience with a poor payer. And please cut a good payer some slack, don't put the rent up after contract renewal by so much that they have to look for a different place, the next guy might give you so much grief that you'll wish you still had your old tennant. :cool::p
 
The thing that pisses me off is that I haven't increased rent in 2 years - and had no intention of doing in when it expired next year.

I spent money on everything he wanted - painted inside, outside, ceilings ... new carpets through out, varnished whatever he wanted, new pool pump, new alarm, new DSTV LNB, new shower door and whatever else he pointed out etc ... about R60,000.00 in total.

In the past 5 months, I've received R49,500.00 rent (which will be taxed) and spent R10,000.00 on rates, rental management fee's etc. I haven't even received back what I spent - but thought that because he was excellent tenant (as his 'previous landlord' told me) I'd be happy just knowing someone was looking after the place.

His 'old landlord' said he'd been renting from them 5 years without a single late payment and the house was immaculate after he left. I haven't had a single good month - and assume the 'old landlord' was a friend or family.

After 2 (late) months I get a 'we really want to buy this property ... please give us first option?' I felt like telling them they can't even afford the rent (40% cheaper than a bond) so they may as well laugh off buying. After this stint, they're not going to be able buy anything for 5 years ...

Basically his lies are the reason for not hesitating listing him and his wife.
 
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Do it, you cant let people take you for a ride and then they just get off scot free.
 
If you do it you'll be doing their future Landlords a HUGE favour IMO... Would save them a lot of hassles, wouldn't it have been nice if you'd known before they moved in that they had a history of not paying their rent on time?

I say threaten to list if they don't pay- give them a way out. If they don't pay, then go ahead and get them listed
 
Lush said:
If you do it you'll be doing their future Landlords a HUGE favour IMO... Would save them a lot of hassles, wouldn't it have been nice if you'd known before they moved in that they had a history of not paying their rent on time?

I say threaten to list if they don't pay- give them a way out. If they don't pay, then go ahead and get them listed
Click to expand...

Did a full credit and reference check and spent R8,000.00 on vetting them. Must have used fake references
 
don't list them, get your money and let them move out! getting your name off ITC is a mission and while i know thats not your problem, i think it would be better for you in the long run to just move on and let them move on as well.
 
Dolby said:
Must have used fake references
Click to expand...

They clearly don't care about who they screw over. They have gone out of their way to produce fake references cause they knew they had a bad history.

I read the excuses they gave you... Yes, they were all very sad... :rolleyes: but at the end of the day you are renting out property in order to make money and they aren't paying you so out they go! The renting agents aren't doing their jobs either so I would lay a complaint against them too. You're receiving rent from your tenants, but only after begging and pleading!
Get them listed- this is business, they aren't your mates and they clearly don't care about you. I'm glad you're finally getting them evicted!

Hope your next tenants don't bring you this must stress!!! :o
 
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I know how you feel being the good guy, unfortunately I've learnt the hard way that you'll only get steped over for your kindness, you need to draw the limit somewhere. Like Lush said this is business nothing personal.
 
blunomore said:
Dolby, CAN the lessee not pay or WILL he not pay ?

I have a lot of sympathy for people who genuinely suffer, but someone who dodges responsibility gets no leniency from me.

Also, someone who makes an effort to comunicate about the problem and attempts at least a partial payment scores brownie points.
Click to expand...

Well blu it appears the guy was pulling a bit of a Carl Niehaus in that he moved in knowing full well he couldn't afford the rent. If it had occurred a year into the contract perhaps it could be viewed differently, but the fact that he has never paid on time says he made his bed and must lie in it.

Would you move into a place you know full well you can't afford and then blame someone else boss/landlord/etc?
 
davemc said:
If you list him you may never get rid of him.
Forget about morals, get him out so that you can get a better tenant.
Click to expand...

You're right. Kick him out and then list him otherwise the next landlord will suffer. He and his family must go move in with the grandparents or ex-wife or whatever until he sorts out his life.
 
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