Nightmare tenants: How do you deal with late rent, dead goats in the basement?

Fred Damsen has heard some doozies from late-paying tenants in his 20-plus years in the apartment management business.

“My favorite,” says the co-owner of Roger C. Perry Co. in Columbus, “is the time a couple missed paying their rent on time because they had to buy a car for their daughter's Sweet 16 birthday. While I was shocked by their attitude, I did admire them for their honesty.”

Another time, a couple told Damsen's staff they shouldn't have to pay a late fee on a tardy rent…