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#Post#: 31558--------------------------------------------------
Declining a neighbor as tenant
DIR By: Isisnin
Date: May 21, 2019, 5:58 pm
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It's been often said here the "No" is complete and polite
sentence, but I need to turn down a neighbor who wants to move
into my house, and I'd appreciate any help with softening the
delivery.
Neighbor and I have not been friends but have been normal
"Hello. Nice day." neighbors. However when she called in
response to my ad, I thought she was someone else and invited er
to see the place. She loved it, but mostly (I think) because she
wants to stay around here. I knew jerk said I'd drop off an
application, but then had printer problems. That delay caused me
to remember how I really haven't cared for her as a neighbor.
She really doesn't utilize basic common sense or courtesy.
Since I told her I would drop off the application, I feel I
should call and tell her I've decided not to accept her. Maybe
say I decided it won't work out?? Letting her apply while
knowing I won't accept her seems kinda like stringing her along.
Thoughts? recommendations?
Thanks for any help with this.
#Post#: 31563--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declining a neighbor as tenant
DIR By: gramma dishes
Date: May 21, 2019, 7:09 pm
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Not sure I understand what you are doing. Are you planning to
take in a tenant to live with you in your house, or are you
planning to rent out your whole house while you live somewhere
else?
#Post#: 31564--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declining a neighbor as tenant
DIR By: NFPwife
Date: May 21, 2019, 7:36 pm
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--- Quote from: gramma dishes link ---
>
> Not sure I understand what you are doing. Are you planning to
take in a tenant to live with you in your house, or are you
planning to rent out your whole house while you live somewhere
else?
>
--- End Quote ---
I think you can just say, "I've decided to go a different
direction. Thanks for your interest."
At first I read the above and thought, "Does it matter?" but I
guess it could if you will continue to live in the neighborhood
with her. I think being polite and not JADEing is the key. I
think JADEing can give someone the hope that they can change
your mind.
#Post#: 31565--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declining a neighbor as tenant
DIR By: MOM21SON
Date: May 21, 2019, 7:40 pm
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I find it odd that when she called about the ad, she didn't tell
you she was your neighbor.
#Post#: 31570--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declining a neighbor as tenant
DIR By: Isisnin
Date: May 21, 2019, 9:02 pm
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I own a two family house. I live in the first unit, she wants to
rent the second.
When she called, I think she did say something about living down
the street from me. But when she said "you always pet my dog
Libby", I heard "Lily" and there is a women down that same end
with a dog name Lily. So i had those two women confused. Plus my
allergies and/or allergy medication, were really messing me up.
Because she used to live in a different apartment on the street
before her current one and has family on the street, she'll
probably try hard to stay on the street or nearby. So I'm
thinking it's best for me to decline her one-on-one than to
ghost her.
#Post#: 31573--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declining a neighbor as tenant
DIR By: LurkingGurl
Date: May 21, 2019, 9:25 pm
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Depending on where you live, you could put yourself into legal
jeopardy by refusing to rent to her because of personal bias.
While maybe technically "not nice," it might be better in the
long run to accept her application so that your eventual
rejection of her tenancy isn't seen to be something personal
that could run you afoul the law or your continued relationship
with her as one of your neighbors, even if she isn't your
tenant.
#Post#: 31575--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declining a neighbor as tenant
DIR By: NFPwife
Date: May 21, 2019, 9:59 pm
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--- Quote from: Mary Sunshine Rain link ---
>
> Depending on where you live, you could put yourself into legal
jeopardy by refusing to rent to her because of personal bias.
>
> While maybe technically "not nice," it might be better in the
long run to accept her application so that your eventual
rejection of her tenancy isn't seen to be something personal
that could run you afoul the law or your continued relationship
with her as one of your neighbors, even if she isn't your
tenant.
>
>
--- End Quote ---
That's a great point.
I'm wondering what, exactly, it is about her that has you not
wanting to rent to her? If she's not particularly neighborly or
friendly, that might not be a bad thing. You said she doesn't
use basic common sense, so if I thought her lack of common sense
would put my property in jeopardy, I wouldn't rent. If she's
just not cordial or polite, but her checks cash, I could live
with that. Personally, I think I'd prefer it to someone who was
friendlier, but might "glom on." Especially if I were in the
next unit.
#Post#: 31579--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declining a neighbor as tenant
DIR By: Isisnin
Date: May 21, 2019, 11:07 pm
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Owner-occupied two families here are exempt from fairing housing
laws. A person's home is their castle kind of thing. I know this
as I did once hire an attorney for an eviction (non-payment of
rent) and she discussed this with me. And I rechecked that law
before starting this process.
8 to ten years ago, she had another dog in the prior apartment
she lived in. She often left that dog outside and it was a
constant barker. Many neighbors were disturbed by it. One Feb.
night, the dog went on and on. I gave up at 2 am and went down
to knock on her door (and someone had posted a long note to her
about the dog). All the lights were on but on one answered. The
dog was out back in the freezing cold. I called the police, but
were told they were on their way and sure enough they were. To
this day I don't know if they were able to wake her up (assuming
she was home) or if they took the dog to keep it from freezing.
I only know the dog stopped barking.
She moved to an adjacent street, then was back in a different
house (the current one) 2-3 yrs ago. She had a different dog
(the current one) which she tied to a tree with a rope long
enough for the dog to go into the street - and the dog often
did. Someone must have said something to her because at some
point she shortened the leash but the dog still was on the
sidewalk. Finally, it was short enough that the dog couldn't
leave the yard. But it's still a barker. Even when its in the
house. She did say that the current landlord had talked to her
about the barking. That landlord doesn't live on the street, so
someone must have complained to the landlord. You'd think she
would have learned her lesson when the police visited years ago.
There's a couple other things (including me thinking that the
friction from the rope must hurt the tree, speaking of property
damage), but the dog story well illustrates her lack of common
sense and common courtesy.
I am not comfortable accepting an application from her knowing
that I will say no. It seems like heartlessly encouraging her. I
don't think I've ever been in this situation. Either applicants
and I click and they fill out the app and I accept them, or we
don't click and they don't turn in the app.
It's been a week and she hasn't contacted me, but I am bound to
run into her. So it's best to get this over with.
#Post#: 31592--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declining a neighbor as tenant
DIR By: Hmmm
Date: May 22, 2019, 9:39 am
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Can you use the issue of her having a pet to be the reason that
you do not want to accept her application? I mean, it is a major
contributing factor on why. Will you be letting the new tenants
have pets or a dog of her size?
My niece and nephew rented a house where the landlords only
allowed dogs under 12 lbs so breds were limited to toy poodles,
chihuahuas, pomeranians and the like. One of the landlords
reasoning was they lived next door and had 2 dogs that stayed in
the back yard most of the day and if the neighbor's dog was
outside they'd bark. With small dogs, most people leave them
inside during the day.
#Post#: 31595--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declining a neighbor as tenant
DIR By: Bada
Date: May 22, 2019, 9:57 am
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Is it a long application? If it will take less than 5 minutes to
complete, I'd just have her fill it out. If it takes longer, I
agree with you that it's more polite to find a way to turn her
down now.
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