Landlord fumes over summer rental mess
(this article was first published in the LifeStyles section of the August 24, 2009 edition of the Lowell Sun. If you're interested in viewing other articles, click here.)

Stress Unit
By MICHAEL HAYDEN, Sun Correspondent
Lowell Sun

DEAR MIKE: I'm writing because I am extremely angry over a situation and am at odds with my wife over how to best solve it.

We purchased a house in a resort area about eight years ago and, in order to afford it, we rent it out during the summer season. We use a real estate agent who screens our clients, collects the rents and taxes, then takes his commission and sends us the balance.

It has worked out extremely well over the years; we provide cleaning materials for the tenants and ask them to please leave it in the condition they found it. Up until now it has worked out great. We go in on the Saturday they are leaving and in the two-hour window between rentals we kind of spruce up the place, although except for a few minor things, the place has always been left in great shape.

This past week, however, we walked into a real surprise. The tenants had left the place a mess. In fact it looked like they just took their stuff and ran out the door. That was not the only problem. They did some real damage, breaking things and tearing the back screen. I was furious. To make things worse, the tenant was the niece of the lady next door, with whom we get along with fine.

I am so upset that I want to call and tell them off and send them a bill for damages. My wife, on the other hand, is scared that we are going to offend the lady next door and wants me to let the real estate agent handle it. I feel that I have a right to call these people and give them a piece of my mind because they knew the rules before they took the place and, in addition, the rules are posted in the cottage.

Do you have any advice, because this is causing a real problem between my wife and me. Thanks. -- Herb

DEAR HERB: While I fully understand your anger with the situation, I am going to have to side with your wife on this. You have to understand that however small, you are actually running a business. Therefore, you must handle this in a business-like manner.

There are a few reasons you hire a real-estate agent to handle things like this, for screening, collecting fees and taxes and also limiting your exposure to the clients themselves. Saying the wrong things could come back to haunt you if the situation ever gets litigated. The agent is experienced in these situations and can act as your go-between. Your having direct contact with this renter, especially with you being a little bit hot under the collar, is probably not a good idea.

Take some pictures of the damage, noting all the things that were really wrong. I would caution you not to get too petty with the complaints, since you have already said that other renters sometimes leave things not quite up to par. Try to stick to the really bad things that were done or left undone.

I would also suggest that you get together with the agent and talk about requiring a security deposit that would only be given back after you have inspected the place. Good luck. -- Mike

Michael Hayden is a certified anger management counselor who runs Bay State Anger Management and Counseling in Chelmsford. Send questions to him at Stressunit@aol.com or send mail to: Stress Unit, c/o The Editor, Box 1477, Lowell, MA 01853.