'I missed the part where that's my problem': Tenant enjoys an 'I-told-you-so' moment after refusing to cooperate with unprepared realtors; agents get locked out

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Nov 19, 2023 10:00 AM EST

For some odd reason, realtors and landlords seem to think that everyone is sitting around at home all the time. Because they like to think we're loafing around the house at all hours, it means that they can simply pop by at any moment, expecting us to be ready to greet them at the entryway. Newsflash: Tenants have lives and we are not waiting on your beck and call. 

Tenants have to go to work, we have to run errands, and we have to get that bag so that we can pay our landlord's mortgage, okay? We're not waiting around in our white tower awaiting a call from our landlord or their realtor to show to apartment to any prospective new renters. Except, that's exactly what the rental realtors expected in this next story. Although OP had made it clear that they wouldn't be around the house to show new tenants the apartment, the agents attempted to strong-arm him and force him to comply. And oh boy, did that backfire. 

Scroll for the full tale of how this unprepared realtor got exactly what they deserved, looking like a fool in front of their client because they were unprofessional, entitled, and expected a guy to wait around all day for them on a work day. Next, here's another saucy tale of entitlement, where a guy gets himself arrested after sideswiping a parked car.

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  • 01
    Posted by u/monty_python12 6 hours ago Strong-arming me into a viewing? Fine, but you won't get inside the apartment S OC I'm renting an apartment from a company, who's renting agents are somehow all unprofessional, late, and
    via u/monty_python12
  • 02
    kinda slow. Had a plethora of issues with them throughout 10 months, but that's a story for another time As I've told my landlord I'll be moving out, they instructed their agents to find a new tenant for the apartment. The way it worked, the agent would email me with a proposed date and time, and I would confirm that I'll be in at that time ( I've got a cat so I insisted on being present during the viewings).
    via u/monty_python12
  • 03
    The agents never had keys - I think that's because the landlord's office is at the other end of the city, and they can't be bothered to drive an extra hour each time there's a viewing to pick the keys up, and then drop them off, so they relied on me to let them in each time
    via u/monty_python12
  • 04
    Apart from a couple of unannounced show-ups, followed by passive- aggressive emails about the messy property, all was well until a week ago. The agent emails me saying they've got a viewing on the 13th. I respond saying I've got work that day, and won't be able to do 13th. She simply
    via u/monty_python12
  • 05
    replies "if you won't be able to accommodate this request, I'll ask the landlord for a 24-hour notice of entry, which is legally enforceable". Ok, do that The day comes, I get a call. "We're downstairs". "Congratulations, but I'm not home, I hope you brought keys this time"
    via u/monty_python12
  • 06
    Man I wish I could see her face then. We went back and forth a bit, she tried to threaten me with legal action, to which I just replied that I don't object to them entering, they're unable to enter through their own negligence, and I have nothing to do with it
    via u/monty_python12
  • 07
    Naturally got an email from the landlord asking me to be "more cooperative" next time, which was promptly ignored
    via u/monty_python12
  • 08
    chrispy_bacon. 6 hr. ago Tell them "poor planning on your part doesn't constitute an emergency on mine." Vote Reply Share monty_python12 OP. 6 hr. ago Haha that's actually brilliant, I think I'll respond saying exactly that
    via u/chrispy_bacon
  • 09
    D DisneyBuckeye . 3 hr. ago Preceded by "I told you in writing that I wouldn't be home and that you would need to bring your own keys."
    via u/DisneyBuckeye
  • 10
    JumpingSpider97.5 hr. ago I learned prior planning and preparation prevents poor performance when I was studying engineering.
    via u/JumpingSpider97
  • 11
    Fox-Possum-3429 - 5 hr. ago Another "Fail to plan - Plan to fail!" Vote Reply Share Marcello66666 - 3 hr. ago But what about: plan early plan twice ;)
    via u/Fox-Possum-3429
  • 12
    coppit 3 hr. ago More generally, "Don't turn your problem into my problem" Vote Reply Share Warframe Umbra - 3 hr. ago "I missed the part where that's my problem"
    via u/coppit
  • 13
    daunorubicin - 5 hr. ago You were exactly as cooperative as you could be. You said you weren't in. You said you couldn't be in. You agreed that with 24 hours notice the landlord could require entry. That doesn't require you to be there to let them in.
    via u/daunorubicin
  • 14
    monty_python12 OP - 5 hr. ago Surprisingly, my landlord has been nothing but reasonable and accommodating towards me, I've got a feeling they know their agents are idiots by now
    via u/monty_python12
  • 15
    chaingun_samurai · 6 hr. ago We went back and forth a bit, she tried to threaten me with legal action, Have fun with that one.
    via u/chaingun_samurai
  • 16
    monty_python12 OP 6 hr. ago. edited 6 hr. ago It's their go-to argument They once showed up unannounced, right after I cooked some beef. The whole place smelled like fried meat after, and I apologized ( to the prospective tenant) about the smell
    via u/monty_python12
  • 17
    The next day, I find out the agent told my landlord that my cat was "urinating uncontrollably in the apartment, causing extremely disturbing smell", and the landlord was obviously freaked out. Thankfully they actually took my side, no more surprise-viewings after that
    via u/monty_python12
  • 18
    HomeschoolingDad - 5 hr. ago If you're feeling petty (wrong sub, I know), you could always just talk to the showing agent in front of the new prospective tenant about how all of these unannounced entries into your apartment are disruptive. Don't say anything untrue, but don't leave anything out, either.
    via u/HomeschoolingDad
  • 19
    monty_python12 OP - 5 hr. ago I thought of this, but decided against it, since if I scare every potential tenant off, they'll just bring more and more, and I would rather viewings stop before I move out
    via u/monty_python12
  • 20
    LeicaM6guy 4 hr. ago At a certain point you're out of the apartment and it's no longer your problem. I say full send.
    via u/LeicaM6guy
  • 21
    Sir_Stash 5 hr. ago Agent was likely just trying to get back at the OP by trying to get them in trouble with the landlord. Client probably didn't like something about the place and the agent blamed the OP.
    via u/Sir_Stash
  • 22
    HKatzOnline 5 hr. ago I would let the landlord know that you had informed the realtor that you would be working / out that day and they came anyway as if they thought you were lying.
    via u/HKatzOnline
  • 23
    tenaka30 4 hr. ago "Naturally got an email from the landlord asking me to be "more cooperative" next time..." How could you be more cooperative? They asked, you said you would not be available. This should have been all they needed to know they had to go pick up the keys.
    via u/tenaka30
  • 24
    Newbosterone - 4 hr. ago Dear landlord, I would be delighted to "be more cooperative". If you are requesting that I skip work to unlock the door for agents unwilling to pick up a key, be aware my hourly rate is X. Would you like to set up a retainer?
    via u/Newbosterone
  • 25
    Cheezburger Image 9838372608
    via u/canva

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coorperate landlord malicious compliance i told you so tenant realtor paying rent renting unprofessional Reddit payback Renters agent
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