I went to small claims court this morning. After one surprise phone call from our property owner at 7:30 AM, and a mad dash to get J to school and the rest of us presentable I was sitting in court with my two boys about 10 seats away from the wicked witch. Ya'll thought she was melted by Dorothy, but in fact the wicked witch and her 3 flying monkeys resided as our upstairs neighbors for 3 LONG years. Ironically, she took us to court for $1500 because she thought the destruction she did to her apartment was "normal wear and tear." I guess if you're used to houses crashing on your relatives than the apartment wasn't so bad. But I've never had a tenant leave an apartment in worse condition. I had pictures to prove it.
I know, you're thinking "Man that's harsh." To that I say, if you would have been this womans neighbors you would say the same thing. There are only so many times a person can stand being woken up to their ceiling vibrating from music at 7 AM on Sunday morning. And walking up the stairs every other month because the lady can't pay her rent on time gets really old. We won't even go into the many times the 3 little monkeys destroyed things around the complex or were found playing in the pool with no adult supervision (a huge no-no). I know she thinks I am a witch. I am here to tell her that I may be a witch but a very different kind. Glinda was a witch too. I was so patient. I gave her every benefit of the doubt until the last 6-9 months. I think the turning point was when she almost burned the complex down. No kidding. Ignorance IS bliss and her ignorance was threatening MY family's and other tenants safety.
So there we were in court. We listened to the irrelevant facts about how I formed a conspiracy against this woman to charge her for every little thing that she damaged, and we rebutted the false accusations that my actions were in retaliation to her. Thank you Mom, for rushing down to sit with the boys while I went before the judge! The judge took the case under advisement which I've learned means there will be some sort of judgement against the plaintiff. I'm only glad it didn't happen in court or the judge or I might have found ourselves at the mercy of her broom.
So here's to you Ms. Witch. Because of you I am a better property manager. I've learned to write down EVERYTHING and be firm from the beginnning. I let you walk all over me with those pointy shoes and playing dumb attitude when I was a new manager and it will never happen again. I feel lighter and happy now that that is over. I think I'll float away in my bubble now and continue to enjoy life without you living upstairs.
Glinda out.
