Hello! I hope now works for a quick phone call. It always feels better to talk instead of text if you ask me. And I hate how cold emails can be.
First of all, how are you? I feel like no one asks that anymore. Just because I’m your landlord doesn’t mean I don’t care. I’m an empath, remember? If anything, I care too much.
You’re doing well? I’m so relieved to hear that! You deserve great things in life. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
So, about your lease renewal. I’m really struggling to come to terms with this, but my life partner and I made the difficult decision to renovate the kitchen of our beach house this year. It really needed a facelift—I would get so depressed just looking at those stained countertops. I’m devastated to tell you this, but it means we have no choice but to increase your rent.
How much, you ask? Oh, I wish I didn’t have to say! I’ll try to keep my composure when I tell you. Here it goes…$500 a month.
I’ve cried every night this week wondering about the impact this might have on you. It shakes me to my core that this may strain your finances during an already difficult time, what with losing your job last month and all. But we have no choice. As I said, the kitchen was crying for a reno. Speaking of, let me grab a Kleenex. I’m starting to tear up thinking about how this will affect you.
You sound tense. I wish there was something I could do to help the situation. Oh! What if I signed us both up for a year’s subscription to Headspace, that meditation and mental health app? I heard they have some breathing exercises that help with reducing financial stress.
Did you say you’d rather I just kept your rent affordable? You know that’s not possible, and it’s honestly very rude of you to suggest that given how I just opened up and explained the emotional damage my second home’s kitchen is causing me.
What? You’ll have to move out if I raise the rent this much? Oh no! Please, don’t say that. Your words are hurting me, like daggers to my ears. Is there no one who can help cover the cost? Maybe you can get a roommate! I can sense you’re feeling lonely.
Just know, for the next 45 days until your eviction, I’m here for you.