I rent a two-unit rowhouse -- three tenants, all lawyers.

They did nit pick their leases (although, oddly, they "found" things that weren't inaccurate and completely overlooked things like the wrong name on the signature block -- eagle eyes!). They understand the meaning of a lease, so I don't worry about them breaking it. One of them called to discuss her extension exactly 60 days prior to the end of her lease.

They don't take care of the yard, but tenants seldom do. They do keep the place neat and presentable, but I doubt it's being deep-cleaned. They ask before doing anything that might put their security deposit at risk.

And, they pay their rent on time without complaint. So I couldn't be happier.

Actually, I hate to say this but i would probably avoid lawyers (if it is legal to do so)... and I am a lawyer. I say this as someone who was once an overly-zealous law student and junior lawyer who lept too quickly to "vindicate" my rights with nasty letters etc. Yes, I was probably technically in the right, but in hindsight I would have either let things slide or not been so nasty about it.

It's impossible to know whether the lawyer-tenant is the reasonable kind or the PITA kind. Can you ask for references?

Anonymous wrote:Wow. We're lawyers, and have happily and successfully rented several homes over the last decade. We've never had a problem, and never tried to sue. I think most lawyers understand the real costs of litigation, and prefer to avoid it as much as possible in their own lives. There are crazy people everywhere, though, whether you rent to lawyers, teachers, or non-profit employees.

Are you planning to treat your tenants unfairly, and so you'd rather have people whose rights are easier to trample? In that case, it's probably a good idea to avoid lawyers and anyone else whose educated and professionally successful. You'll have much better luck as a slumlord with a more disenfranchised group.

Bingo!

In my experience (31 yrs. practice), it's the clients or potential clients who are too often the sue-happy ones, and the lawyers spend time educating them on the points made above and why that's a pretty unsatisfactory way to resolve things in most cases.

Anonymous wrote:I once rented to a guy who was in law school. I felt like he was trying to "practice" on me...nitpicking on every little thing, almost like he was baiting. Very, very annoying.

Law students are way more annoying than actual lawyers.

Some of my kindest, best friends are a pair of lawyers I met decades ago. My biggest, pain in the butt, experience in the past couple years turned out to be a lawyer (and when we found she was a lawyer we said, "well, that explains it")

Your mileage may vary.

I think it must be impossible to have property in DC and not rent to lawyers.

But yes, if you rent to a lawyer, expect that they might actually read the lease and "nitpick" about it, which could be annoying, especially if you yourself don't understand the terms. And they won't let you get away wit shady stuff like keeping the security deposit. But other than that, I doubt they are any worse than any other class of tenant.

I appreciate the answers. We are not slum lords and take care of the property. I think maybe some lazy schlum who watches court tv a lot may be the worst.

I think busy lawyers would make the best tenants. They often likely care little about nitpicky things in their personal dealings, the good one's are more worried about their actual clients - kind of like a "doctor heal thyself" situation.

At least that's how the busy and productive lawyers I know are - some don't have wills, etc., because they give it all at the office. Maybe others have different experiences.

10:39 here. "who's," not "whose." Typo!

Wow. We're lawyers, and have happily and successfully rented several homes over the last decade. We've never had a problem, and never tried to sue. I think most lawyers understand the real costs of litigation, and prefer to avoid it as much as possible in their own lives. There are crazy people everywhere, though, whether you rent to lawyers, teachers, or non-profit employees.

Are you planning to treat your tenants unfairly, and so you'd rather have people whose rights are easier to trample? In that case, it's probably a good idea to avoid lawyers and anyone else whose educated and professionally successful. You'll have much better luck as a slumlord with a more disenfranchised group.

Anonymous wrote:jesus. shut up.

Jesus doesn't appreciate it

There are lots of different kinds of lawyers. Most don't go around suing people. If you've seen your applicants' faces on a billboard or bus stop add, move on.

I once rented to a guy who was in law school. I felt like he was trying to "practice" on me...nitpicking on every little thing, almost like he was baiting. Very, very annoying.

jesus. shut up.

We are looking to rent our place again and have noticed that a few applicants are lawyers.

Has anyone had any bad experiences with renting to lawyers?

I know the money aspect makes them desirable tenants but I am worried about them being very picky or attempting to sue us at any moments notice.