Landlord/Family Life Balance

Category: Operations

3 replies

Original post

Hi everyone,

This will be a quick post. I've been struggling with the balance between personal life and dealing with my tenants. Mind you they are great, but I have a tough time telling them they have to figure some things out themselves.

Quick example: I live in the suburbs of Chicago, and our rental unit is in the city. For those that have lived/been here, you know that a 10-mile commute can either be 25 min. or an hour (depending on traffic).

So, my tenants have locked themselves out a couple of times and I have to drive down there to let them in. After telling them numerous times, HIDE A SPARE KEY SOMEWHERE, NO ONE WILL FIND IT I PROMISE!!!

of course, it happened again while I'm having dinner with my family, during the end of rush hour traffic (45 min each way). I told them I cannot come now so either they sit and wait or call a locksmith and that's on them. of course, they waited and I felt bad, so I jumped in the car as quickly as possible and did the commute.

There has to be some advice or thoughts on this topic, and i would love to hear them all. Maybe just so i can get piece of mind knowing there are others who struggle with this issue.

thanks

- Josh

Reply by Christina Calderon

Hi Josh - I know this is just an example, but there's a simple fix to this problem - install a keycode/smart lock on the rental unit. Small investment, but you'll never have to worry about your tenants locking themselves out again.

As far as balancing landlord and personal life, I find that setting firm boundaries and keeping myself accountable to them is the only way to manage it. It's definitely a struggle for us too, though.

Good luck!

Reply by Amanda T.

Josh I felt this whole post, the guilt is so real. I do the same thing where I say no and hold firm for about five minutes and then cave and go help anyway because I feel bad lol. So no advice from me on actually sticking to it, I'm right there with you.

Christina's smart lock idea is such a good call though. Takes the whole decision off your plate so you're not the bad guy and you're not driving 45 minutes during dinner either. Win win.

The part I'm slowly learning is that helping every single time actually trains them to keep calling you. Doesn't make it any easier in the moment but it helps me feel a little less guilty when I don't drop everything. You're clearly a good landlord if you're stressing this much about it.