This whole situation is unfortunate.

As I read, I wonder: have you asked your tenants why they aren’t paying rent? Are they in a financial hardship too? Your article makes it sound like they are just lazy, but could there be more to it? Have they lost their jobs during COVID? Maybe they are looking for new places to live but can’t afford anywhere else.

I recently read a story on Facebook where someone’s former landlord sent them a letter with a check in it several years after they moved out. The landlord had sold the house and thought it fair to give former renters back their part of the profit when the house was sold.

If we think about it, it’s really screwed up that we have to pay each month to simply have a place to live. The reason there’s so much animosity toward landlords is because housing has now become so expensive while wages remain low. Many renters have to work long, grueling weeks to pay landlords who are either already independently wealthy or else are making an income by collecting money from those who are being exploited in their jobs. And furthermore, rent is like throwing away money, while that money goes to help the landlord pay a mortgage on a house that is an investment which will likely keep making money for them as housing prices increase.

I get that you’re frustrated, but it’s important to understand that the entire system is messed up.