First up, thank you for such a great forum, I've gleaned much from here. Thanks again.
Warning .... long post
We have a couple of IP, self manage and have always had awesome tenants. I mean, the kind you only dream of. We recently relet one our IP and the tenant we have put in came with dream references, from high recommendations from both previous owner and PM. We have no reason to doubt.
Tenant came through property no fewer than three times before keys were handed over. Each time commented us on the premises, how it didn't smell like all the others, that it was well presented etc. We were doing work on the place, but he could see the potential. He asked for us to do some things for him before moving (removing outdated light fittings etc) which we did happily.
Keys handed over one day early, after tenant walked through place and declared happy.
First rent due - late. Now this tenant has previous PM experience, which he never divulged to us until the day he took the keys. I still don't think it would have changed our minds.
Did we act in haste, maybe, but we sent a breach notice for late rent. With all of our properties we are upfront, the rent must be paid on time. No questions. In return, we will make sure the house is great for them.
The response was a 14 page document of how disgusting the place was, how we didn't follow through on promises to paint, improve etc before the tenant moved in. These things were never promised. We aren't that silly. And besides, my house is getting painted before anyone elses!
This document was followed up by another and then another. Each one fabricating things. The biggy is that the house was filthy when they moved in and that any reasonable PM who handed a property over like that would offer a weeks rent free as compensation. But he never contacted us to tell us so we could see what he was going on about, no, just dutifully cleaned it up, took no photos. And waited three weeks to complain about it - we can't help but think it was a letter fired off in anger, because he got a breach notice (which he now acknowledges was deserved) and is retaliation for it.
Are you seeing the picture we are? We are deeply offended by what has been sent to us, it has been a character assassination of us. We are trying to put the emotion aside and remain professional. We are more than happy to help when there is a leak or similar, but cannot keep up with this persons high (exceptionally we think, and unreasonable) standards. We had offered to do some work on the place over the coming 12 months, but he wants it done NOW and has only been in the place four weeks.
The list of 'offences' is quite lengthy and in places laughable. At least we still have our humour. We offered the tenant a cancellation of the lease, no strings, and he declined. We are still considering leaving it open ended, find another place when you can and move, with no penalty .... we are planning to completely renovate when this tenant moves out and move in ourselves, closer to kids schools. So we can move at anytime.
He has approached the state tenancy board for guidance, which is fine. We have no issue with it and to be honest, think they would see the whinge for what it is. He is now threatening to issue us with a breach for work not done, but frankly, think it is smokescreens.
What would you do? have you a similar experience? and any suggestions for moving forward. Thanks in advance.
Warning .... long post
We have a couple of IP, self manage and have always had awesome tenants. I mean, the kind you only dream of. We recently relet one our IP and the tenant we have put in came with dream references, from high recommendations from both previous owner and PM. We have no reason to doubt.
Tenant came through property no fewer than three times before keys were handed over. Each time commented us on the premises, how it didn't smell like all the others, that it was well presented etc. We were doing work on the place, but he could see the potential. He asked for us to do some things for him before moving (removing outdated light fittings etc) which we did happily.
Keys handed over one day early, after tenant walked through place and declared happy.
First rent due - late. Now this tenant has previous PM experience, which he never divulged to us until the day he took the keys. I still don't think it would have changed our minds.
Did we act in haste, maybe, but we sent a breach notice for late rent. With all of our properties we are upfront, the rent must be paid on time. No questions. In return, we will make sure the house is great for them.
The response was a 14 page document of how disgusting the place was, how we didn't follow through on promises to paint, improve etc before the tenant moved in. These things were never promised. We aren't that silly. And besides, my house is getting painted before anyone elses!
This document was followed up by another and then another. Each one fabricating things. The biggy is that the house was filthy when they moved in and that any reasonable PM who handed a property over like that would offer a weeks rent free as compensation. But he never contacted us to tell us so we could see what he was going on about, no, just dutifully cleaned it up, took no photos. And waited three weeks to complain about it - we can't help but think it was a letter fired off in anger, because he got a breach notice (which he now acknowledges was deserved) and is retaliation for it.
Are you seeing the picture we are? We are deeply offended by what has been sent to us, it has been a character assassination of us. We are trying to put the emotion aside and remain professional. We are more than happy to help when there is a leak or similar, but cannot keep up with this persons high (exceptionally we think, and unreasonable) standards. We had offered to do some work on the place over the coming 12 months, but he wants it done NOW and has only been in the place four weeks.
The list of 'offences' is quite lengthy and in places laughable. At least we still have our humour. We offered the tenant a cancellation of the lease, no strings, and he declined. We are still considering leaving it open ended, find another place when you can and move, with no penalty .... we are planning to completely renovate when this tenant moves out and move in ourselves, closer to kids schools. So we can move at anytime.
He has approached the state tenancy board for guidance, which is fine. We have no issue with it and to be honest, think they would see the whinge for what it is. He is now threatening to issue us with a breach for work not done, but frankly, think it is smokescreens.
What would you do? have you a similar experience? and any suggestions for moving forward. Thanks in advance.