Laugh with me, not at me...

So Fridays are suppose to be a fun day. This is where we will share funny stories that only other apartment managers will understand. I will go first, but YOU need to share your stories also...

Gosh, where do I start...

A few years ago, I moved this young lady into the complex. I went over her lease. She paid her security deposit and her first months rent. I gave her the keys to her new apartment and welcomed her to her new home. She was nervous, but excited and my gut told me she would be a good resident.

The next month rolled around and she didn't pay her rent. I sent the late notice and she came to the office, with tears in her eyes, and she said she didn't understand the letter. So I explained that she hadn't paid her rent and that this notice was sort of like a reminder with a price tag. She looked at me and said, "But I did pay my rent. I gave it to you the day I moved in. Don't you remember?" I looked at her and said that yes, I remember her paying the rent for the month that she moved in, but she still owes for this month. She looked up at me and said, "You mean I have to pay you every month?" I said yes. That is why I went over the part of the lease that told her when her rent was due and what would happen if she didn't pay it. Just as serious as she could be, she said, "I didn't think you meant that for me."

I just sat there and stared at her. I wasn't sure what to say, so I said, "Well I did. Just like I meant it to all the other residents when they moved in. And just so we are straight, in 5-days, I will be going to the courthouse to file in court for the money if it isn't paid."

She stood up and said, "Well, you just go ahead and file in court. No judge will make me pay for anything more then what I have already paid for."

"Why wouldn't they?" I ask.

"Because, I have my lease and I will take it for the judge to read. I bet you didn't think I was going to say that did you?"

"No, I honestly can say I didn't think that was going to be your argument."

"I guess I'll see you in court, then." She says...standing up and sticking her hand out for me to shake. "No hard feelings and don't worry, I won't tell anyone about this. Let them fight their own battles." and out the door she went.

We did go to court and yes, she did show up with her Lease. The judge asked her if I had gone over the lease with her and she said yes and that she couldn't understand why I was changing my mind after doing so. The judge looked at me and all I could do was shrug my shoulders. He explained to her that the lease was for a year and then he showed her in the lease where it said she was to pay this amount each month. She tried to argue with him but he stopped her and gave me judgment...she ended up moving back in with her parents. She came in a few months later and told me she really thought that it was a good thing that things happened this way, because she would never had been able to afford the new car she had if she would have still had to pay me rent every month...

I've thought about changing to crayons for the residents to sign the lease with...obviously the ink in the pen is too strong for them to handle.

Okay, so now you share...What's something funny that you've had happen to you?