WHEN PATIENCE TURNS COSTLY

Once upon a time, a landlord leased a unit to a tenant who later subleased it. Everything went smoothly—until the pandemic hit.

The tenant’s sublease income dried up, and from then on, communication with the owner became nearly impossible. Despite repeated follow-ups, the tenant only replied after the lease had expired, saying they’d renew and pay “in a few days.” Those few days turned into weeks. No payment came. Then came a new excuse: they’d sell their furniture to pay the rent. Another month passed—still nothing. By the third month, they finally admitted they were terminating the lease.

The owner sent several emails asking the tenant to vacate the unit, remove their things, and return the keys. When none of that happened, she decided to enter the property herself. Inside, she found unpaid utility bills, missing items, and damage that needed repairs. She informed the tenant that the two-month security deposit would be forfeited to cover these costs. Wanting to end the ordeal, she shouldered the remaining shortfall and moved on.

A month later, a demand letter arrived—from the same tenant—asking for the return of the deposit. Eight months later, the owner received a court summons. At the Small Claims hearing, the tenant painted her as the wrongdoer, claiming they were locked out and their furniture was taken.

What started as patience and good faith turned into a cautionary tale about why kindness alone isn’t enough in business.

💡 Lessons Learned

1.⁠ ⁠Kindness has limits. Don’t extend deadlines too freely—it can backfire.

2.⁠ ⁠No payment = no renewal. A lease only renews when rent is paid.

3.⁠ ⁠Use email, not chat. Emails are easier to authenticate than screenshots.

4.⁠ ⁠State an official email in the contract. It avoids disputes over communication.

5.⁠ ⁠Know your remedies. The Small Claims Court offers a quick, lawyer-free venue for money disputes under ₱1 million.

In real estate, good faith must always be paired with good documentation.