I was overseas for 21 years while I let property via multiple agents. Because I took my responsibility to my tenants seriously, I made it my business to know what they should be doing on my behalf including following forums, joining a LL association and getting accredited. It was obvious to me that no judge was going to say, “Oh, you were overseas? Well, why didn’t you say so? We’ll let you off then.”
When you give an agent the responsibility to manage your property, you take on the responsibility to manage the agent.
@barrybartram glad to hear you’re helping tenant with alternative accommodation and doing the right things … well done
@tatemono and you have obviously misunderstood each other’s intentions when posting here and it’s easy to miss nuances or context in initial posts (Nobody plans to appear to appear angry or self righteous or perfect when offering their advice. One person’s acknowledgement of a mistake can easily be seen as another’s excuse). Shame but it happens and can be hard to get tone right online esp with strangers and explaining a complex situation. I’m sure @tatemono is glad you are taking all the right steps to care for your tenant’s health and that of their child - people do care and feel strongly about these things, rightly so.
@David240 I read your post and agree with it 100%, and I would like to also add for clarity that if any of us are going to write narrative in a public space then we have many obligations such as privacy for example, and we must apply a light etiquette by speaking clearly in a tone that is respectful to all in the public space where the narrative appears.
You are absolutely correct for example when you say “people do care and feel strongly about these things, rightly so” because people also care and feel strongly about perceptions created by tones and use of such derogatory phrases such as “rogue landlord” in a public space to be preserved there for a significant amount of time. Again it is rightly so to feel strongly about insults, simply because it is insulting at best if taken seriously. I don’t take such commentary seriously as it is clear those making it have problems in conducting their commentary in a respectful manner or they would achieve it.
As well as being respectful, I try to clarify and understand a situation not just throw judgemental rhetoric at it, but I am not saying I am perfect either. What I will always respond to is derogatory rhetoric in public spaces as those making it should be aware of social boundaries and how disrespectful comments can cause others to follow their actions. Also a public space full of derogatory and condescending narrative is not a community for those that choose positive actions and a helping hand in a respectful wrapper of light etiquette and just becomes full of short derogatory commentary that will not help anyone. I am sure all of those that have used your community and will use it in the future support a light etiquette of respect for others above what could be seen as judgemental and condescending rhetoric from those adding this “rogue landlord” kind of narrative in this online community along with other narrative that, with all due respect came across to me as something the young teenagers I deal with might say and yes I do remind them there is a better way to conduct themselves in public society.
Anyway not my community and after this experience probably not something I want to be a part of until it matures and is more respectful.
I also wish you luck with it all and maybe it will mature quickly.
@barrybartram good luck finding online fora /communities where nobody uses emotive language that might offend anybody or appear disrespectful. I’d like to find that myself
If you look beyond the language [I agree with you I dont believe “rogue landlord” was used seriously] all @tatemono has advised you to do is to take care of your tenants which you have said you are doing - well done - so you should both be happy (or both tell me I’m incredibly naive )
Writing paragraph upon paragraph in response to “such commentary” indicates that you take it far more seriously than you claim.
You put the lives of a “vulnerable tenant” and children at risk. In my book, the right response should be humility, not getting flustered about this community’s maturity. Your conduct as a landlord “in the public space” impacts all the landlords in the country. It’s because of conduct like this that those of us who have been diligent for decades now find ourselves up to our ears in red tape.
This is probably the most telling statement of all from your OP. It should read “What can I do to preotect the tenant?” If you had found them alternative accommodation at your expense to compensate them for the nightmare they’ve endured, your tenant would be protected.
If I come across as angry about innocent people being taken advantage of and harmed by our trade, then you’ve read me exactly right.
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