Tenant calls me up yesterday hysterical, screaming at me because the contractor is there removing fence in front of multi family she lives in. Tells me I needed to get her permission and the scheduling should have been done through her. Really.? The only reason the fence was being replaced was because the little princess and snowflake husband kept complaining about it. They kept whining that the gate wouldn't close smoothly and a small piece needed to be fixed . This is 6 ft high white vinyl, not a cheap fence. The old fence was reused at a different location. Karma stepped right in. Contractor couldn't get new fence up immediately. She DEMANDED that I have new fence put up same day ( yesterday) and told me that no workers would be allowed there today or over the weekend.Told me that was my only option. I informed her that she does not own the property and scheduling of outside maintenance at a multi family does not require her permission. They were aware we were in the process of having the fence replaced any day. I didn't know the exact day because our outdoor work always has variables. She then asks me what I'm going to do to make this ok for her. So, I guess she thinks I owe her something for her screaming at me because I'm putting up a beautiful vinyl fence that I didn't get her permission for? I told her that the thousands I was spending on the fence was more than she deserved. These people have been there for about 4 years and were ok until recently. They were very disappointed that I would not sell them the house. It is not for sale and I have no intention of selling it. They said they needed to buy that house because it was a newer build and everything else they looked at was old and priced too high for them to afford. I wonder if they though I was going to sell them my newer build for cheaper than the high priced old houses. Today I get to deal with a different tenant who should be getting his Notice To Quit about noon. He's got a nasty temper. This is turning out to be an interesting week.My takeaway is this- imagine if your biggest problem was that the fence in your yard was being replaced and your LL didn't ask your permission?

Send her this letter...

Dear Ms. Screams A. Lott,

Thank you for voicing your concerns over the new fence we are installing for the benefit of our residents. As you know, our highest priority is that our tenants are happy. Since you are not happy, we offer your our standard "Happy Clause" early lease termination. For a fee of $_____ you can terminate your lease early without any further obligation. In addition, both a 30 days notice and August rent are still required. If we do not received the fee and your 30 days notice within 72 hours, we will consider the situation resolved to your satisfaction.

Sincerely,

Management

People like this I call former tenants.

I had a tenant get mad because the lawn guys showed up to haul away some brush and she wasn't notified. It's a two family and the upstairs was vacant at the time. She was in the process of leaving and I did not know that yet. Somehow she got the idea that she had rented the outside too. Probably her meds needed adjusting. She kept flooding the bathroom until water dripped into the basement and then complained about mold. All she really wanted was to withhold one month's rent for a security deposit on her new apt. near where her job had moved. She didn't have to create all that drama. If she had explained her issue I would have given her security deposit back early.

Tenants have a sell-by date and your tenant has reached hers.

Four years is a tad early. Usually it starts about 5 years, but tenants reach a point when they have been in a place long enough that they forget who owns it.

I would go with the Happy Clause. Leave or don't. Most people would be happy with a new fence. The contractor is not not infringing on her space so it is what it is. Going to guess they don't do much work fixing things(cars,etc.) to demand same day service. I might show up when the contractor is there or have him/her call if T is getting out of line. You almost want to say-OK no fence-will save me money...

There are reasons why a landlord should give notice to tenants. Here are a few examples, I'm a licensed contractor:

a) I was hired to replace 3 (two car) garage doors. From wood to metal. On day 1 was going to remove, cut up and haul away the old doors. On day two I was going to install the new doors.

In the garages the tenants, long term, stored valuable items. The owner hadn't given the tenants notice that the garages weren't going to be secure for a day. Had I done the job then, I could have been liable for any theft. The tenant were all given notice and time (a week) to remove valuables, and they did.

b) I was going to replace an old ugly chain link fence with a green coated link fence. A tenant could allow their dog free in the gated yard. Had we not gotten the tenants consent that they would keep children and pets inside on the day of construction. An animal or child could have gotten out and run over by a car.

Its' called becoming territorial. Mine started at 6 months. They were asking why I never trimmed the big vines in the trees and took over the yard, driveway and basement, same thing apt #2 was vacant and they were the only one there. They thought they owed the drive way too. Another tenant this week honked her horn for hrs till I moved out of the 2 family driveway

The only problem that I had on Friday the 13th, was sitting at the ocean and it decided to throw a full unopened can of beer at me! Rolled right up out of the ocean at my feet. That was the good news, the bad news was that I quit drinking over 25 years ago. But I did keep it for a souvenir! LOL

if you want to be nice simply ask them if they are having a bad day. if they ask why you ask, tell them you are certainly sorry they might be having a rough day but that doesn't meant they can dump their load on you.

tell 'em to slow their roll or you'll give 'em the door. i got $5 says this is the beginning of their campaign of BS and torment.