Earlier today, I heard about a landlord who was assaulted by one of his tenants. Looking around the web for similar incidents I learned that it's something fairly common. I read some news stories about women attacking their landlords with hammers, landlords trying to run over their tenants with vehicles, etc, etc. In the news, it's always someone else but what if you are the next landlord to be attacked? Do you, landlords, ever take precautions like arming yourself [with say a knife] just in case the need to defend yourself arises?
I think that anything can happen really and there is no harm in being prepared, but at the same time I don't carry weapons, I prefer to stay positive and avoid bad neighborhoods.
No one knows when "worst" can happen... I mean seriously. But cases like the one mentioned above can be taken two ways - (1) If I am the landlord - I should have asked the tenants to sign a contract of rent and let the LAW seriously do its thing if they cannot pay me - this will avoid future conflict that will lead to this harassment. (2) If I am the tenant - I should have selected a place where my means could afford. Also, I should have secured my career, find a better paying job, save and invests into something that will provide me with another stream of income so I will not end up confronting my landlord. I hope this makes sense.
It is really sad that such things happen. I believe one should try and understand the situation of the people before jumping to any particular conclusion. Also I cannot imagine how one can assault the person who has given them a place to stay.
Unfortunately these situations happen, but no there isn't anything special I do or would do to prepare for them. In fact, this once again shows why I prefer to do all my investments online (so shares, bonds, REITs instead of apartments..), it means that I never have to bother with these things.
I think pretty much as that, we cannot live in fear, so we just should use our common sense to avoid dangerous situations and people that look strange. Apart from that we can just trust our faith.
In my scenario...i wasn't prepared at all...the former tenant was threatening to take my life and i had to involve the authorities in the area to deal with him...being the case of weaker sex versus 'stronger'...he took his opportune moment...trashed the house, the guy was a complete psycho but am glad that is over...when i decided to have real estate agents to take over, i was just about done with tenants trying games on me...deep lessons learned...things are looking up now...the problem with our law in regard to landlord and tenant partnerships is just messed up...tenants regardless of being on the wrong side of the law are always favored...but the landlord is punished severely...Just unfair
Wish i was in your shoes right about now..investing online but i shouldn't regret having a gift of a property to manage...everything has a valid reason behind it...maybe am supposed to learn with this one property now and expand in the future.. an apprentice now and a entrepreneur in the future...although am still considering REITs...just need the money to propel me in the right direction
For the less savory places where I have to collect rent, I carry a gun. Where I am it is common to pay rent in cash, and I make an easy target. Usually I am not worried about the tenants, it is the people who are around me. A knife does not cut the mustard if one is a woman against a man, and a knife will not drop a guy right away. You are better off to have a gun if it is legal in your area.
It must have been rather terrifying having to hear someone threaten he'll kill you. Never had to experience that though my old man got veiled threats at one time. That's what came out of renting out a house to someone who formerly was a criminal. Eventually the man was forced out though. To avoid such stuff I agree that having a real estate agent manage your property for you would be the best choice.
