A Few Bad Apples

After reading in the last few weeks of an incident where personal property was violated by a squatter who was later arrested, it sparked once again the issues facing property owners involving irresponsible individuals and year-round and winter renters on the Island.

After interviewing what appeared to be potential winter tenants and checking references, I am also facing the loss of thousands of dollars from individuals at my Island residence. It amazes me that these tenants that I trusted are now costing me the loss of last summer season’s revenue. They refused to leave while not paying rent and utilities and while destroying numerous items at my home that I kept immaculate and rented in good faith.

It seems fruitless to pursue legal action as the system protects these individuals without any recourse for the property owners, but leaves them with huge legal fees without any chance of recovery for losses. Consequently, these individuals are also coddled by parents who support these behaviors for their adult children, and defend their actions of abuse and destruction of others’ property.

Is it any wonder why there are fewer rentals available to help the affordable housing shortage both in and off-season? I was very generous in adjusting the rent in exchange for various chores and offering a year-round lease. To my surprise, I encountered the worse situation for my trust and now am spending to repair the damages while suffering the loss of rental income.

Please consider that the system protects the rights of tenants, but ignores the rights of property owners — there is no balance or chance of recovery. How very unfortunate these behaviors are for those families needing affordable housing on the Vineyard.

P.J. Lincoln
Madison, Conn.,
and Chilmark

Thanks P.J. for your letter you are not alone and I feel so bad for you however there are more than a FEW Bad Apples out there! It is a full blown epidemic!! I read on the internet people advertising that they are seeking a house or apartment and Landlords that are seeking tenants. I do quick backgrounds on those applying just by using Google and both island's newspaper's search engine and 6 out of 10 times they end up popping up in the Court Reports or in some news article. The ones who say they are church going, they work until they drop than sleep until they have to go back to work, they dont swear, drink, smoke, and their worst flaw is that they are total neat freaks are the worst fakers! We have been there and done that being landlords and if we aren't absolutely totally convinced that the tenants will be legit we hit the delete button immediately if not sooner. The closer to summer the more desperate they get and the more they pad their Bio's! I have three words for every potential landlord - "Do Your Homework"! The sweetest, most smiling ones are the worst and most costly! Dont be afraid to get as much $$$$ possible up front because you just might possible need every penny of it to just brake even.

The other two major issues the island faces which has been getting worst year after year is illegal dumping on the sides of our island roads of house hold goods, mattress, Tvs, just junk and the other problem is disrespectful dog owners not obeying our leash laws, barking dog bylaws, posted no dogs on beaches bylaws and not picking up their dog's messes. I hope those get addressed sooner rather than later. It saddens me so to see what is happening to our beautiful island.

This negativity on both sides is a huge reason why we left the island years ago. Really, with all the places on this beautiful earth to live it is just not worth it. The bickering, name calling, distrust of one another is unlike anything I have seen anywhere else.

I'm a bit late to the party on this but I feel it's important that landlords report positive experiences with 12 month tenants and have responded on-line to the Gazette's letters complaining of negative experiences with tenants: We have owned a home in VH with two year-round rental units for over 10 years. Our tenants have taken wonderful care of our home and have been a pleasure to deal with. As landlords, we've made repairs quickly, bought new appliances as needed and have charged what we feel to be fair rent. Not gouging on the rent has been part of a relationship of mutual respect and cooperation. Our tenants have stayed for many years. A few have "re-enlisted" and come back to us. Several of our best tenants came from Dukes County Regional Housing Authority. They do some "screening" for landlords and their subsidy guarantees that the landlord gets part of their rent. DCRHA provides a wonderful service for landlord and the community. Their staff is always helpful and professional. In our experience, most tenants have been responsible and appreciative. The year-round housing situation on the the island is heartbreaking for individuals and a real impediment to the island economy. Please, if you can, consider offering 12 month housing and working with the island affordable housing advocates. We are not sorry we did.

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Comments (4)

David L. -- The Vineyard

May 8, 2015 - 10:44pm

Susan - Oak Bluffs

May 9, 2015 - 1:55pm

Julie

May 11, 2015 - 9:56pm

kathy, W. Tisbury

May 18, 2015 - 11:01pm

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