Tenant Love Notes
Maybe this isn’t the right title for these letters, but if you are a landlord for any length of time, you will get one. They are similar in concept to the “Dear John” letter that soldiers used to receive.
This tenant love notes is slightly different, it is usually sent with the rent check folded up in it. Typically it is used to explain why rent is late, but more often it is to explain why they have short paid their rent this month. Here is an example of one:
If you read the letter it starts off by saying: “I am sending you five hundred dollars [when the rent due is $800] and I will pay the rest of Oct rent on the 31st of Oct.”
At this point, you need to make a decision whether you are going to wait for the remainder of the rent ($300) or not. I believe the decision is going to depend upon their previous pay history, the condition of the apartment, time of year, and your motivation.
If I am not willing to wait, I can start the eviction in Minneapolis. Most likely, they will be out by Mid-November (assuming they don’t pay). I would then have to clean and prep the apartment for showings for a December 1 move-in. Although leasing apartments in December is possible (and has actually gotten easier with the low vacancy rate), it is not my favorite.
I have decided that I am going to wait and see if they follow through on their commitment. If they don’t, the next day, I am at court.
Tenant Love Letters… Great post Scott! I too have received similar letters in the mail! Previous payment history is very important in this case. I agree.