We had summer

We had summer, it was on Fri & Sat now we’re back to winter. Which gave me a good segue  for my next story of the two roommates who could never seem to be able to pay their rent. I had inherited the lads from the previous manager, who let them slide a little. by the time I took over, they were a month & a half behind and the owners were getting fed up. After talking till I was blue in the face I finally got out the dreaded 10 day eviction notice (just a heads up landlords hate it when it gets to this point, and it’s a last resort.)       I was surprised to see that they were taking it to obligation. On that faithful day the obligato shuffled some papers around then ask the lads

“It said s here that you feel harassed by the manager and yet I also see that you are almost two months behind in the rent. Can you explain this to me?”

“Well sir you see we feel that Mr. Manager is asking too much and is over charging us.” “How so”

“Well you see, it snowed in Dec.”

“Snowed!”

“Yes sir it snowed in Dec and I couldn’t get to work for two days.”

“I fail to see just cause not to pay the rent.”

“I did tried to pay the rent this morning, but the office was closed.

“What time was this?”

“Around 6 ”

“And what time does the office open”

“9 o clock, but the manager said he would be in early”

“Mr. manager did you tell him you would be in early?”

“I do beleave I said that I’m sometimes early and that he should knock on the door, but I ment 30 mins early not 3 hours.”

“I see, well I’m sorry guys but the eviction stands you must pay the outstanding rent and leave the building.”

“But, but it snowed!”

Germs on the new carpets

We finally got our new carpets. After much discussion a lot of arm pulling and more discussions the owners gave in and approved the replacement of our 100-year-old flooring (just kidding, it was 110).   The new carpets are a dark blue with gold and grey specks through out. It always makes me feel good when I wonder around the building and see all the improvements we have done over the years. It makes me feel like we are providing the tenants with a home and not just an apartment.  So you can imagine my shock when, as I stepped onto the 6th floor I spotted one of my tenants pouring something on to my new carpets. “What are you doing” I ask a little louder than normal. The man jumped a little and looked up “I saw germs.”  “you’re what” I asked in disbelieve ” I saw germs on the carpet so I killed them with a little bleach.” the man said as he smiled and held up the bottle. I toke the bottle of bleach, and sent the man back to his suite, the carpet guys were able to patch the spot so that you wouldn’t know that a bug leavened carpet was ever there, and 30 days later I sent the gentleman packing, and I do hope that he finds a bug free home.

A few years ago I became an apartment manager. After working on a few building in a couple different cities I found myself often shaking my head at some of the actions tenants,  and I started to notice a pattern. Talking to many of the people who work in and around apartments we came to the realization that there is a 20/80 rule, 80% of the people cause only 20% of the worry and headache. But the other 20% of the tenants make up for it by causing 80% of issues.                                                                                                                     Here are a few of the stories about those 20%, some are sad, some are happy, and most will make you shake your head.

I got a call this morning from a concerned neighbour. She had noted a person entering the building and figured that she must be a guest of one of my tenants. Now, I was waiting to hear something about people being silly on their balcony or were running around the neighbourhood drunk. Imagine my surprise when the neighbour told me that she saw this person j-walking. Now there’s a crime that’s not enforced enough. I thanked the lady and got back to my work.

Two days later I got a call from the anti j-walking lady. “I just through you should know I just saw that woman again! she yelled. “Which woman is that ma?” I asked as I held the phone away from my ear to lower the volume. “That guest of yours who insists on walking on the street as if she owns them” she yelled ” and I recognized her this time, she gave me fleas. ” I beg your pardon.” I said feeding puzzled. ” “I was standing beside her at the food bank and I know it was her who gave them to me, and she will give them to you and your tenants if you continual to let her come and go like that.!” thank you ma I appreciate your concern.” I said as I quickly hung up.

A few days later, just as I’ll gotten the fleas out of my head the phone rang, the now familiar shrill voice sang out, “I want the number!” What number would that be ma?” “The number for your boss you know the owner. I Know you’re not the owner, you’re not doing your job. That woman has being in your building again, I know because I saw her and she was carrying bagels.” I couldn’t help smile as I ask. How is a bagel bad ma. Well… well you’re just not taking this seriously enough. I want the owners number!” Yes ma, if you insist, here it is.” As I read out the number to the property manager. [After all why should I have all the fun.]

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