I try to be fair/reasonable. Had worked with tenant allowing family emergencies to take precedent and forgiving late payment (despite lease terms to contrary). When I warned of late fee having to be implemented because she was consistently late, I got little attitude. 2 months later, when it was still late and I demanded late fee, she refused to pay it, stated that all landlords allow 10 days late not 5 as I was allowing. She is out now and wanting to argue with me over immediate return of security deposit. She has been pushy, talking to other tenants in area that I've rented to and threatens to tell her Dad (another tenant in other unit) to move. MAJOR entitlement and attitude going on.

I do 30 days with listing of damages (per lease) but I'm so mad I want to pop her with threat of slander charges, etc. She acts like she knows laws or how I should do business when I've bent over backward for her and her family. Not doing it anymore though. Suggestions?

1. Think with your brain, not your gut/heart. NEVER MAKE A

DECISION WHILE ANGRY. Go to a movie, eat some Hagen-Daz

vanilla bean ice cream, lift weights--anything to cool

down.

2. Read your state's landlord/tenant laws. Apply them now!

I agree, don't play into her drama, don't let your emotions and anger lead your decisions. Stick to the lease you have with her, and any other tenant. It is your written contract. When everything is settled with the deposit, fix and rent again. If her father or anyone else leaves, follow that lease, don't let the daughter influence your decisions.

Calm down and remember this happens a lot if you allow it. Sometimes it helps if you ask yourself. How would I have handled this if I was just a property manager. Did not own the property yourself but managed it for someone. Did you do your job correctly? You would do a better job for them than for yourself?

S i d[MO]'s 5-step, Drama Free method of security deposit accounting:

1) Block tenant's phone number and email.

2) Deduct for damages, unpaid late fees, cleaning, etc.

3) Send accounting statement listing charges and the refund check, if any balance remains, payable to all parties on the lease to tenant's last know address within the time-frame state law requires.

4) Drink a beer/refreshing beverage.

5) When 1st beverage is done, have another.

NC law says send accounting within 30 days, or interim in 30 and final in 60.

It says HOLD security deposit until you get a forwarding address. If tenant does not claim within 6 months by providing such address, LL can keep the deposit.

Because my lease calls for electronic communications, I send SD Accounting via email (NC does not specify method of sending.) If refund is due, I tell them to send me their forwarding address and the bank holding the SD will send a check. Now it's on the tenant.

This is EXACTLY how my PITA tenant acted. Sweet as sugar until she stopped paying rent prior to move-out, then went running to the free lawyers to see if there were any flaws in my lease that she could use to her advantage.

I'd like to propose a new psychological diagnosis: Bopfym Syndrome. It's the "blame other people for your mistakes" syndrome. In my experience, there's no cure and engaging with the patient just worsens the symptoms.

Robin(WI) Thanks for the giggle!!