I`ve been involved with a couple who for whatever reason have been hit with "Hard Times" some of it self imposed.
Ten months ago,we assisted this couple with the sale of their home.
We starved off Foreclosure!They were in real trouble, we managed to beat the bank with only 2 weeks to spare.They were very grateful! They promised each other this wouldn`t happen again.
We located them a nice rental which was reasonable, it was well within their realm of reality based on their earnings.
The home was near their old home so the children could remain in the same schools. It`s always interesting to deal with people who believe they can lay "Blame on everyone" except themselves.
Worse, when you receive a call from the landlord asking if you can intervene by contacting the tenant,who now hasn`t paid rent in two months. The landlord is extremely upset,as he should be. It seems the couple have stopped taking his calls!
Now faced with two months in back rent the landlord will now pursue "Eviction".
I called the couple last night to see if I could be of any assistance.
The Conversation is as follows:
Me: I spoke to the landlord who explained to me you`re not paying the rent. Is there anything wrong?
Couple: We`re really glad to hear from you, we need too move. The landlord hasn`t fixed the bathroom sink as he promised,so we`ve decided not to pay the rent!
Me: That`s why I`m calling you. The landlord claims you owe him two months rent. You`re going to be evicted! Do you want that?!
Couple: It`s not our fault, the landlord refuses to fix the sink, so my husband and I refuse to pay the rent! It`s that simple.
Me: What exactly is wrong with the sink?
Couple: It needs Drano, the water isn`t going down properly.
Me: OK, if I ask the landlord to fix the sink, will you pay the rent?
Couple: Huh,huh,well actually we can give him half the rent and owe him the rest. We`re kinda short right now,recovering from Christmas and all. We went on a cruise for a week.
Me: You mean, you`re using the sink as an excuse,right?
Couple: Excuse? No way. We promise to pay him what we owe,only we don`t have it right now.
I have no idea what this couple is thinking or why! I know this time when the landlord starts eviction, I will not be around to help them any longer,they seem to fall into trouble wherever they go!
The home they owned was beautiful, they decided to stop paying the mortgage based on what the media kept harping on.
They listen to people like Jim Cramer who told his audience to "Walk Away" from your home if you owe too much.
I remember how they made excuses to me about a high mortgage. Now with the rent two months overdue, they`re attempting to blame the landlord for not purchasing a $3.95 can of Drano.
The simple truth is these people know exactly what they`re doing and why!
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Scott, As we all know, "You can't fix 'stupid'." These people shouldn't be trusted with money or property.
Scott - talk about a couple who are a nightmare! If they're going to continue doing this they need to move out of state! How many landlords can you go through in one state? A cruise..give me a break!
I'm wondering how they ever qualified to buy a house to begin with if they are so unconcerned about paying their bills.
This story is amazing. At times, you have to wonder why people are so self destructive, but what is worse to me is the situation that the poor kids are in now. I wonder if they ever give them a thought.
Once a Dead Beat, always a Dead Beat!!
Frank,
In two weeks,they find another landlord and move at night!They`ll probably pull the same stunt as well.
Linda,
Don`t know! I know onething, we`re done helping.
Dan,
It`s a very sad story. It`s worse for the landlord now.
I'm actually surprised that Jim Cramer wasn't picked off by a high powered rifle from a grassy knoll yet. What a moron.
Sorry for the blurt! LOL
Chris,
These folks actually quoted Olde Jim to me!Amazing he hasn`t been taken out!
Concetta,
You maybe right. They had me fooled..
Thats why they have those signs at the zoo..please do not feed the animals....or they will bite the hand that feeds you.
Neal,
I hate to tell you where they live! It seems to be a sport in this neck of the woods.
Difficult to get inside the mind of people that don't take the responsibilities of adults.
Terry,
No clue why people want to go through life in this manner..
Scott,
You've got to be kidding about the cruise part! Thanks, Fran
Sounds to me like this ia a play first...pay later..couple. This of course if what got them into trouble the first time, now this time and probably won't be the last time until they realize cruises wait until you can afford them...and if you cannot pay your bills..you cannot afford a cruise.
Simply rememdy to the sink : Go buy a $5.00 bottle of drano, deduct it from the rent. However, if this is not a pre-exisiting problem with the sink and the sink is stopped up from their daily use the Landlord may not be responsible to pay for the sink anyway !
You are right in asking if the sink was an excuse. It probably was and is. The fact is they need to pay the rent and on time. If the landlord has duty to issues within the home that are reasonably his issues to be fixed the tenants should protect themselves and the rent by opening an escrow account. They can deposit the funds in the escrow until the landlord complies and/or the Judge renders a ruling in any cause of action brought against either the landlord or the tenants. Not paying your rent due to a broken sink will not win your case !
MG,
They fooled the landlord, and lied to me! They refuse to pay the rent because that`s the way they play! They refused to cooperate with the lenders on their home because they were too tired to respect their obligation to the mortgage.
As someone mentioned they have kids who will be affected in the long run, watching Mom and Dad play the system as they do!
I know what the landlord will do and I`m positive this couple is already looking for their next prey!
It`s easier to make excuses and go through life "blaming others".Sad but true.
Fran,
This is a very true situation,they were serious.
You hit the nail on the head, Scott: They can afford a cruise but, not a $3.95 can of DRAINO?!
Crazy - I think they realize that no matter how bad they screw up their finances and others that they will always be okay. A Cruise? I wish I could afford to go on a Cruise but I am too busy trying to earn a living so that I can pay my mortgage.
Scott I feel your pain. I have crossed paths a few times with people who always want to blame others. The ones that really get me are the ones that are truly made they are being foreclosed on. My favorite saying is "if you don't pay, you don't stay"!
Melonie Haag
Scott... It seems like it is time for you to walk away... Seriously, you have gone above and beyond for these people... A CRUISE... seriously?
The trailer park will be calling for them soon. Unfortunately, their value will be passed to their children. Honor and dignity seems to be a thing of the past.
You tried and are now right to move on. They can only help themselves at this point. You've done all you can!
Scott,
Last year I had a couple in a similar situation: trying to sell their home, not being able to ( their home was in the city, in an average neighborhood, it was priced reasonably - we thought - but we couldn't sell it, on thing about heir home was that it had a strange, walk-through kitchen that was small, more like for a bachelor). Eventually we got an offer, the bank agreed to the short sale, but in the end we couldn't close because of a medical judgment. They had to go through the foreclosure, ended up renting from me and my husband in our duplex. I can honestly say, they are some of the best renters we have had. Their rent is ready on the first of the month, and they maintain the exterior of the whole property, and do it well.
Their problem was that the ARM was adjusting every 6 months and it has recently doubled from their original amount, it was too much for them. NOT ALL the people in this situation are JERKS.
Scott,
It's frustrating when you know what they should do, and you tell them what will work, and they still won't do it! Sort of like raising teenagers.
Mike in Tucson
Scott, I know its hard to continue to help those who need it, because its so hard to tell the difference..And to comment on the lady above who stated that all the people in foreclosure are not jerks, I agree. Many had horrible representation and believed what they were told, did not read or did not understand what they signed... I have recently seen 3 couples who have ARMs that reset every 6 months and if you were late on a payment it reset immediately to the max every time..So doubling a mortgage payment in a few years is so very possible..I too would encourage those people to walk away and start over.
Nice to see ya posting again..it may be hard to follow up a post that had over 200 comments!!
People are in the positions they are in based on the decisions they made; in this particular case, these people made poor decisions. You can't fix that, unfortunately.
Wash your hands of those people. . . they will continue in this pattern, it seems no consequence is enough to push them to be responsible. Hope they enjoyed that cruise cause homelessness isn't going to be a picnic.
Well you helped out out much as you could, they used and abused you, and they are OK with that and likely looking for somebody else to save their A$$ for the short term.
What you did was a good thing, you helped out a family in need, and assisted them. They chose to take advantage, work the system, and waste a resource (you) that could have been used to their advantage when they really need it. It frees up your time and aggrevation now. Cut them loose.
I help as much as I can, Im sure you do as well. It seems like you bent over backwards to help this family out in getting them affordable housing. At some point you have to let it go and walk away. Hopefully this couple does not bitter you from helping somebody in the future. Most people in this situation are in the situation because of circumstances, but know when to take a helping hand. Alot of people would have appreciated what you did for them. Hopefully it does not prevent you from helping out somebody else in the future.
The term ... "pennywise, pound foolish." comes to mind. For some reason people know a little about housing laws, know they can deduct or withhold rent if their property is uninhabitable; however, tend to turn the law on its head to work to their advantage. As a previous comment stated, the sink more then likely will not be the landlords duty to repair, which only places these tenants in a position of acting in bad faith.
As professional as we all try to be, if the client lowers thier expectations to a new low, remember we do not have to follow. It is best to seek out the clients with solid character then the ones found lacking.
WOW! Sorry to hear that people are not learning to take care of themselves better.
15 days late an I serve papers, no need to call they know its due.
Dead beats! It s a game to them! It is sad if there are kids invloved!
It is amazing to me how people spend their money and not pay the bills. I cleaned a home out last week that was filled with I think everything that has ever been sold on TV. They also had over 100 video game cases. I am sure it was someone else's fought that they lost their house.
I feel really bad for the children! What lessons are their parents teaching them?? Who chooses to splurge on Christmas presents - but refuses to pay to keep a roof over their heads? That is plain foolish!!
Reality is very hard. Personally the radar seems to be a little more focused as there are many that have never had to use good financial habits.
Bonner
I have ran into too many of the people your ex-clients represent. We all have trials and trebulations. The biggest idea many people in the world dont get ot refuse to accept is this " you are responsible for your actions" or in many cases "lack of action!".
I worked for a dozen years in the law enforcement field and met many many people do not want to take responsiblity for their own lives. Society as a whole enable large amount of these people to live their lives just like this. It is a serious shame.
Once a deadbeat always a deadbeat. I've had tenants fix items in their rental and deduct it from the rent, with owners approval. I would charge them a late fee of $1oo per week until the rent is paid. Eviction can be a costly event and you have to hope they don't destroy the home when they leave.