The Tenants From Hell Get Worse

22 July 2010

You would think that with the weather being so nice that all would be rosy in Marty's world. But once again this week has been less than great and one particular incident really just topped it off.

Remember the family from hell who want their (rental) house decorated to their somewhat tacky tastes? Well, this week they really stepped it up. Katy and I arrived at work on Monday morning as usual. The woman of the house sent the older kids off to school as normal and then started getting herself sorted to go out. Nothing unusual in that, you might say.

Problem is that there is one child who doesn't go to school yet, a little girl called Aimee who must be about 2 and a bit. Well, next minute this so-called Mother is telling us (yes, telling, not asking!) that she is popping out and that Aimee will be fine if she is just left to play. “you'll keep an eye on her won't you?”

This was directed at Katy who really didn't know what to say other than look at her in stunned disbelief. Of course, I was having none of this and told her in no uncertain terms that we were not babysitters. Well, this was like a red rag to a bull and she went off on one. Apparently according to her we were in her house and we worked to her rules and how dare we question her parenting. We hadn't even mentioned this – although it is pretty clear that it leaves a lot to be desired. She pointed out, at the top of her lungs, that she was only going out for an hour or so and how dare we spoil her day like this.

Meanwhile little Aimee is sitting quietly in the living room taking in all this effing and blinding and I finally agreed to look after her for one hour and no more. I just wanted peace more than anything and she just was not backing down. Poor Katy was given the task of entertaining what turned out to be a very sweet little girl – but that's not the point.

I got on the phone to Chris and told him that he needs to make it clear to his tenants what we are there for and that I expected Katy to be reimbursed either by this woman or by him. I was completely beside myself. What a position to be placed in by this inconsiderate person.

Needless to say that more than two hours later she waltzed back in full of apologies and complaints about parking. I told her never to ask us to do this again and that if she did we would walk off the job. Phew! This is turning out to be harder work than I expected.

At least the next job on our list is a converted Victorian house which is being turned into three flats. Best of all – no tenants!