So everyone knows what a high maintenance person is.  In fact, some of us have dated (or are married to ) some (not you honey)!  These are people that just can’t seem to be satisfied with anything despite how good it is.  When you get one of these as a tenant, watch out.  They can be very frustrating as they are often not making problems themselves, but they want to complain about everything.  Often also, their complaints or requests are legit, but maybe they are a little oversensitive about things.

I had a new tenant in one of my townhouses.  This empty nester couple were a relocation from Memphis and had lots of cash in the bank from selling their home.  She liked the unit, but she said she smelled cigarette smoke.  I am pretty sure the current tenants did not smoke in the house, but out on the back patio.  No doubt that some of that smoke came in the house and I am sure it was on their clothes and other belongings.    They were going to be great tenants, but she insisted that I not only shampoo the carpet, but I have the ducts cleaned.  This unit was only 2 years old, but I agreed.  I paid the $250 to have the duct cleaned.  She was satisfied.  I go over there a month after they move in only to find out that she is a smoker.  Huh?

So what do you do if you have a tenant that seems to call you over every little repair and/or every little neighbor problem?  Are you spending 80% of your management/maintenance time on this one tenant?  Unfortunately, because their requests are often reasonable and legitimate, it may take you a while to identify that this is a high maintenance tenant.  So what do you do once you identify this?

• Start pushing back on their requests.  Question if it really needs to be done.  At first this may be difficult to do, because you know the work may need to be done or the place is not perfect.  Most rental units are not perfect and were probably never represented as perfect.  They have to live with some defects.
• Ask the tenant to put together a punch list and then agree that you are going to go in and do all the work one time and you are not coming back except for an emergency for 6 months.  While this may be difficult, it could get them to see that the property is just fine.
• Harder still, but I know many landlords do this, is to simply tell them that  you are not fixing it.  Period.
• Lastly, move them out.  If they continue to be a thorn in your side, tell them:  “Look, it sounds like you are just not satisfied with this property.  I don’t believe I will ever be able to get it to the level of maintenance/repair/beauty you want.  Maybe we should just break the lease at the end of next month and you should find another place that you are more satisfied with”.  This statement right there may be enough to shut them down.  Many people when presented with an ultimatum or take away will back down.

Having a high maintenance building is tough enough to deal with if you are a part-time landlord.  I would say that high maintenance tenants are probably worse as the building is not calling you on the phone at 7pm saying the door handle is loose!