Question regarding my landlord

[Dax]

So since I have been unemployed, my landlord is SUPER understanding when it comes to getting his rent check. We have an understanding that he will get his money, just not always on the 1st of the month. Since I have been out of work and on unemployment, I have never had a check bounce, so the deal is working.

He came to my house last Saturday to do some minor work, and he also picked up the check, which he has done prior. Because I wasnt sure of the EXACT date of when the check could be cashed, I left the date blank..I have done this before and he just fills it in when he cashes it. I told him I would let him know AS SOON as he could use the check, and all was fine. We have done this in the past with zero issue..

Well I am sure many can see where this is going...My landlord's wife cashed the check on Tuesday. When it cleared the bank on Wed, I did not have the funds, because 1) Unemployment comes on Thurs, Friday if holiday and 2)The last rent check was cashed on 11/13 so it was only like 2 weeks since last check.

My account was $-258.00 on Thanksgiving day, and my electric was due, or a shutoff was gonna occur. The bank DID pay the check(credit union) and I only got charged a $20 fee for the cover. I called my landlord in a panic, and he actually paid my electric, as it was his mistake and he felt horrible.

My question is this...When January comes around, should I deduct the $20 fee from the rent? Everyone I have talked to says I should..he really left me in a major money lurch this week, as what little saving I had is gone now, and all my hubbies check, and MOST of my unemployment all went to the overdraft, leaving me with very little this week for anything. Thank goodness I had family in town..

So what you think I should do?

 

[lovemygoofy]

I don't think he owes you $20. You should have dated the check but even that doesn't guarantee he would wait until the date to cash it. I'm sure his wife didn't know the arrangement and just put it in the bank.

If you had already paid rent 2 weeks prior why were you paying rent again? For the rest of the month's total?

I most certainly would not take out the $20 because the landlord is being so compassionate about the money issue and paid your electric bill. He didn't have to do anything and I think taking the $20 out would show you aren't greatful for the effort this landlord is doing to be of help.

 

[ajk912]

I would not. I would just be afraid of ticking him off and then him ending your arrangement. Not worth that risk over $20. I am really sorry about your financial troubles, btw.

 

[Pakey]

So since I have been unemployed, my landlord is SUPER understanding when it comes to getting his rent check. We have an understanding that he will get his money, just not always on the 1st of the month. Since I have been out of work and on unemployment, I have never had a check bounce, so the deal is working.

He came to my house last Saturday to do some minor work, and he also picked up the check, which he has done prior. Because I wasnt sure of the EXACT date of when the check could be cashed, I left the date blank..I have done this before and he just fills it in when he cashes it. I told him I would let him know AS SOON as he could use the check, and all was fine. We have done this in the past with zero issue..

Well I am sure many can see where this is going...My landlord's wife cashed the check on Tuesday. When it cleared the bank on Wed, I did not have the funds, because 1) Unemployment comes on Thurs, Friday if holiday and 2)The last rent check was cashed on 11/13 so it was only like 2 weeks since last check.

My account was $-258.00 on Thanksgiving day, and my electric was due, or a shutoff was gonna occur. The bank DID pay the check(credit union) and I only got charged a $20 fee for the cover. I called my landlord in a panic, and he actually paid my electric, as it was his mistake and he felt horrible.

My question is this...When January comes around, should I deduct the $20 fee from the rent? Everyone I have talked to says I should..he really left me in a major money lurch this week, as what little saving I had is gone now, and all my hubbies check, and MOST of my unemployment all went to the overdraft, leaving me with very little this week for anything. Thank goodness I had family in town..

So what you think I should do?

I"m a landlord and have been very understanding, also, of late rent payments in this economy. I have also helped them with utility bills to keep them going. However, I would not be too understanding if my tenants deducted $20 from the rent payment after I have extended so much generosity. If my tenants did that, I might not be so willing to be generous in the future and would insist that rent be paid on time.

From my perspective, I have a house payment to make on the rental property. When my tenants pay late, I still have to pay on time (I get a penalty if the house payment is not made by the 5th). So I'm taking my own money to pay that mortgage, money that I would be earning interest on if I didn't have to spend it to cover them. I do not ever charge them a late fee.

 

[BeenHereB4]

With how lenient he's been and after paying your electric bill, you want to deduct $20 from your rent which you are paying late every month? I think that would not be a smart move on your part.

 

[paladin]

I must agree with the others - I would certainly NOT deduct $20.00 because of what happened.

Remember, the landlord has bills to pay also, but he is still allowing you to pay your rent late.

 

[Avonlady1001]

I most certainly would not take out the $20 because the landlord is being so compassionate about the money issue and paid your electric bill. He didn't have to do anything and I think taking the $20 out would show you aren't greatful for the effort this landlord is doing to be of help.

Agreed!

 

[Justsyd2]

I most certainly would not take out the $20 because the landlord is being so compassionate about the money issue and paid your electric bill. He didn't have to do anything and I think taking the $20 out would show you aren't grateful for the effort this landlord is doing to be of help.

I completely agree with this. Your landlord is being very compassionate when he doesn't have to be...I would NOT charge him $20.00, that would be a very bad move.

 

[happygirl]

It sounds like he has bent over backwards to help you out, IMHO he has done way more then he should have for you. I don't know many landlords that would have paid your electric bill. I think I would give him a extra 20.00 for his kindness and understanding

 

[extremesoccermom]

Personally I would eat the $20.00 and be very happy the landlord has been so accommodating. We usually charge $10.00 fee for each week late. From what you have told us he is not charging you any extra for a late fee. I would just make sure next time you talk to him first and post date the check for the Friday or Saturday after the unemployment is due to arrive.
Good Luck hopefully you will be able to find something soon. I know my college age son is having a hard time finding anything more than seasonal work because everyone is laying off or not hiring.

 

[Hannathy]

Nope I definitely wouldn't deduct the $20. In fact I would try very hard to get Jan in as close to on time as I could and I would drop a thank you note into the mail for him this week for doing what he did. That is something very simple you could do now and you would be surprised how few people do that anymore and all the good feelings you will garner from such a simple act.

 

[scrapindis]

I agree with everyone else. He sounds like a great acomodating person. He has saved you tons of money the way it is.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

No way! Eat the $20 and be thankful that he's been so flexible and understanding -- the $20 mistake was an honest mistake. You will hurt the relationship by charging him the $20 for an honest mistake when he's been helpful! (My DH is out of work and I feel your pain, but there is NO WAY I'd even consider deducting the $20!)

 

[jam217]

I agree with the others.....don't deduct the $20.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

I called my landlord in a panic, and he actually paid my electric, as it was his mistake and he felt horrible.

My question is this...When January comes around, should I deduct the $20 fee from the rent? Everyone I have talked to says I should..he really left me in a major money lurch this week, as what little saving I had is gone now, and all my hubbies check, and MOST of my unemployment all went to the overdraft, leaving me with very little this week for anything. Thank goodness I had family in town..

So what you think I should do?

And definitely THANK HIM for paying the utilities!!!!!!!! Very kind and considerate of him. You are in a lurch for sure, but he didnt *leave* you in it! No way you should deduct the $20!!

 

[KimFIGFern]

With how lenient he's been and after paying your electric bill, you want to deduct $20 from your rent which you are paying late every month? I think that would not be a smart move on your part.

I agree. If he has been working with you, he may not be so willing to work with you again. I truly think he is being kind by letting you pay later than is required. A lot of places will not do this ... no matter what. Good luck with your situation and I hope you find a job soon.

 

[finz2left]

Just echoing everyone else -- and give him a nice Christmas thank you...even if it is just a card expressing your gratitude. So many people out there would have never extended his kindness

 

[camlace]

I would absolutely NOT deduct the $20 and honestly I would pay him back the money for the electricity asap. Even if you have to break it into 2 payments, if paying the electricity is not included in your rent I would repay that as well. It is not your LLs fault he cashed a check that was owed to him and you did not have sufficient funds. JMHO.

 

[samshane]

I agree with the others... if you do deduct it, you may see your arrangement end rather abruptly. As someone else said, he still has his mortgage to pay on time even if you are late. Good luck.

 

[Shagley]

I'm absolutely stunned that you even need to ask this . Especially since...

1) he lets you pay your rent late
2) he covered your electric bill when you were in a lurch

I'm sure it was an inconvenience for you, but it is an inconvenience for him every month that you don't pay on time - his mortgage payment is due on time whether he has your money or not. I am really sorry for your situation, but I think you need to count your blessings that you have an understanding Landlord and chalk the $20 up to a mistake that occured when he was bending over backwards to help you.