I'm In a Bind
By girljar
@girljar (287)
United States
November 18, 2007 12:31pm CST
My family and I just moved to Florida in June. We have a house in Indiana, and we found someone to rent it for what our house payment is (which is way more than a house would normally rent for in that area), with the option to buy. We thought this guy would be really good, because he loves our home and property, and they are a young family, and are perfect for the place.
We let them move in 2 weeks early, free, and left the utilities on for at least a week after we moved, free, and didn't charge him a security deposit. Basically, we let them move in for free, and then some. They are family of some of our neighbors, who are Chrisitan pastors, and we knew our neighbors pretty well.
Since they moved in, their first rent check bounced, and every other payment for the last 3 months has been late. Now, it is November 18, and I haven't gotten anything from him, again. Last month, he sent it in two payments (both late), and he said he would have to do the same this month. My concern is, he is getting later and later, and with Christmas coming up, I am so afraid I'm not going to get anything from him in December.
I can't afford to kick him out, because nobody else would pay $850/mo. rent. But I don't have an extra $850 to pay the rent if he doesn't, either. We were planning on setting a month's mortgage payment aside with our tax check, but that's not until February. I don't know what I'm going to do. I just know this is going to happen. Please, let me know your thoughts, and if you have any suggestions. Thank you.
3 people like this
6 responses
@cloudage (50)
• United States
18 Nov 07
Do your neighboors know about this? If not, you should let them know what's going on.
I doubt they will ever change, they think they can take an easy ride here, so kick them out before it's too late. If nobody else would pay 850/mo, then lower your rent if it's too high. At least then you would get money steady, even if it's less.
Think about yourself here, don't feel bad for them. Seems like you went out of your way to help them, and they are taking advantage of the situation.
2 people like this
@girljar (287)
• United States
19 Nov 07
I don't feel like I should contact my neighbors about this. After all, I am not responsible for the actions of my family, and neither are they for theirs. I am really feeling like this guy is just full of sh**, and he's a smooth talker. He had both my husband and me fooled, that's for sure. Live and learn, I guess. I know I will be less trusting from here on out. I may have to kick him out and take less for rent; at least I could claim it as a loss on taxes, and I would still be building equity in it until the market goes back up. Thanks for your response.
2 people like this
@Monkeyrose (2840)
• Canada
18 Nov 07
wow I would definately evict them if I were you. That sounds terrible. If worse comes to worse you could always sell your house in indiana. Do you have someone to manage it from there for you? That might make it easier.
2 people like this
@girljar (287)
• United States
19 Nov 07
I don't want to sell it, because I wouldn't get anything out of it. It is a really nice property, and I don't want to give it away just because the market is bad right now. We have a set price for it, and my husband and I have agreed that we will not sell it for less than that, period. I don't currently have anyone to manage it for me, but I am going to pick my brain and see if I can find someone at home to do it for a small fee. That would be cheaper than a real estate agent, and it would be someone I trust. Thanks for your response.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
25 Nov 07
That's a tough one and I'm not sure what I'd do. It always puts someone in an awkward position when they rent to a friend or a friend or relative of a friend. But you have your own bills to worry about and $850 is no small amount of money, especially around Christmas time. In my opinion you've been more than patient and fair so if you feel you must get a little tough with them you can't be blamed. But I also understand you'd have a difficult time renting the house to someone else for that amount so I see you are in a bad position. I guess your best bet is to be firm but kind with them and hope they manage to come up with the money. I wish you lots of luck!
Annie
1 person likes this
@roadrat (274)
• United States
18 Nov 07
evict them and sue them for the damages. it's business. then hire an agent for the listing. lease the property with options to buy or sell it outright. renting is too sticky without an agent or property manager. refinance it or take a loan out to cover what you have to. always write in a clause to prequalify prospects before they look at the property.
2 people like this
@girljar (287)
• United States
19 Nov 07
The problem is that we just refinanced in January, and we are pretty much tapped out. We have made a lot of stupid mistakes in the past, which has resulted in us not having a lot of equity in the property at present time. And with the market so bad, I don't want to have to give it away. I'm willing to wait. It is really hard, though, being 1100 miles away, and not having a property manager. I don't think I could afford one, though. I would have my mom do it, but she's not in good health. I am definitely starting to re-think my options, though. Thanks for your reponse.
2 people like this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
18 Nov 07
It sounds like you have been taken advantage of. Just because they are a family of one of your neighbors who are Christian pastors, doesn't do doodly for me.
You were more kind-hearted by helping them out, letting them live there for two weeks FREE, and now it's nothing but trouble.
I would tell them point blank, you need the rent by the first of the month, period....all of it. Otherwise, you will look for new tenants by means of a real estate agent or an agent that deals with renters and tenants so they can be screened first.
It's unfortunate that it comes down to that and I am NOT a cold-hearted person, but when someone takes advantage, that's where I draw the line. You need your money also and people have to realize this,...you did help them out and gave them a break. That is more than most would have done...............and I also agree that business is business.
@girljar (287)
• United States
19 Nov 07
Yeah, I am learning the hard way, not to trust someone just because the say they are Christians. I am learning that there are some people out there who use that term to take advantage of people, because a lot of people do tend to trust those who claim to be Christian. And I do feel taken advantage of, for sure. We really screwed up on this deal, I know that. We let him do work to the place, since he was going to buy it, and now, I don't know what kind of shape the place is in, because we are 1100 miles away. I don't know how he could possibly afford to buy the place, if he can't even pay the rent, and what we charge him for rent is just our mortgage payment. Thanks for your response.
2 people like this
@luvstochat (6907)
• United States
19 Nov 07
I think you would be better off putting the house up for sale and getting out of your mortgage altogther. You can either let the renters stay in the house until it is sold or give them 30 days notice they need to move out.
2 people like this
