He Evicted Her After Months of Chaos, But When She Called With a Desperate Plea, He Doubted His Decision.
When the Original Poster (OP) inherited a home, he soon became entangled with Jamie, a particularly challenging tenant. Jamie’s actions clashed with the homeowner’s association rules, and OP’s patience wore thin when she unexpectedly sought his help for a new beginning.
An Inherited Home
OP inherits a house from his late brother and begins to rent it out for some extra income. Over the past three years, he has had a series of reliable tenants who were fully employed, paid promptly, and maintained the house’s integrity. However, things are about to change.
Enter Jamie
Jamie, a 30-year-old single mother with three children, becomes OP’s new tenant. She has previously lived with her mother and boyfriend and has poor credit, but OP makes an exception. This is Jamie’s first rental experience.
Jamie’s Chaotic Tenure
Immediately, Jamie showcases a disregard for property rules. She pays rent late, damages property, and brings in unauthorized guests. Her behavior puts a strain on her relationship with OP.
The HOA Debacle
The homeowner’s association (HOA) rules are clear, but Jamie violates them regularly – leaving her garbage cans on the curb too long and not keeping up with mowing the grass or trimming the shrubs.
The Eviction
By the end of her stay, she accumulated an $800 fine. When Jamie refuses to pay, OP evicts her after four months. Though the process is legally sound, it marks the beginning of another chapter in their strained relationship.
Unexpected Calls
Soon after Jamie’s eviction, OP receives calls from potential landlords asking for a reference for his most recent tenant. To OP’s surprise, Jamie has listed him as a reference even though he has nothing good to say about her.
Truthful References
Each time OP receives a call, he provides an honest account of Jamie’s behavior as a tenant. He believes in transparency over neutrality, even if it paints Jamie negatively. He would hate for someone to lie to him to promote a bad renter falsely.
Silence Sets In
After several references given by OP, the calls stop. OP assumes Jamie has realized her mistake and has stopped listing him as her reference or has given up trying to find a reputable place to rent with her history.
Jamie’s Desperate Call
Out of the blue, Jamie contacts OP, painting a bleak picture of her life since she was evicted. She has lost her job and lives with her allegedly abusive mother. Without a rental reference, she’s struggling to find a new place.
Jamie’s Plea
Jamie implores OP to give “neutral references” to improve her chances of securing housing. She is desperate and scared, fearing homelessness for her family. She promises that she will adhere to all the rules from now on.
OP’s Firm Stand
Despite Jamie’s plea, OP refuses. He reminds her of her behavior during her tenancy and asserts his commitment to honesty. As the conversation intensifies, Jamie breaks down in tears as the weight of her situation and OP’s refusal becomes too much for her.
The End of the Call
Unable to bear Jamie’s emotional breakdown, OP hangs up, further cementing the divide between the two. He grapples with the consequences of his actions. He may have inadvertently made Jamie’s housing search harder by giving honest references.
Jamie’s Future Uncertain
With no other previous landlords to vouch for her, Jamie’s prospects seem grim. She faces the risk of homelessness and an uncertain future for her kids. OP is torn between his commitment to honesty and the potential ramifications of his actions on Jamie’s life.
An Ethical Dilemma
The story presents a moral dilemma about responsibility, the consequences of one’s actions, and the complexities of human relationships. Jamie’s future remains uncertain, and OP is left to reflect on his choices.
Was The Landlord’s Behavior Appropriate?
OP posts his story online, seeking validation and judgment from the internet community. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter.
Forum Responds
One reader said, “She’s expecting you to help her dupe another person into the horrible situation she already put you through. You have no obligation to help her no matter how much she cries.”
Another Commenter Thinks
Another responder wrote, “If she tries to contact you again for it, I’d almost consider telling her if she paid back all the fees she owes, her recommendation would change.”
A Third View on The Story
A different person stated, “I rented my house to a family who destroyed it. Their landlords gave neutral references, but later, I discovered they were horrible tenants to them, too.”
A Final Perspective on the Matter
Another reader commented, “If she wanted a neutral reference, then she should have been a better tenant and paid the fees that came because of her carelessness and bad attitude.”
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