We let a down and out man park his RV on our yard temporarily b/c he was homeless?

Question

Then 6 months later he is still there and obviously got very comfortable. In the beginning he did some work for us on our house and we paid him but he gave us a good rate. Then as the months went on, he stopped doing anything for us and when I would ask him for a quote on something, it would be outrageous. Meanwhile, we paid for his use of our power for those 6 months and never asked him anything in return. That cost about $200 total. So we finally ask him to leave because he's all lazy and comfortable now and I think he started resented us for what we had and what he didn't have, and he got really pissy about it and finally left and started telling lies to people about us. I just can't believe how ungrateful he is. WWYD? He's unstable too. I don't know whether to call him and tell him to stop telling lies to people or just let it go. And who has a right to be mad here? I think it's my husband and I!

Answer 1

No good deed goes unpunished. Most "down and outers" are ungrateful people who have a sense of entitlement. I take photographs in industrial areas loaded with these types. Interestingly, in one town the homeless were respectful and law abiding. Then, they moved a Rescue Mission into the area and a different crowd came in - one full of panhandlers, criminals, loiterers, etc. They eat "to go" free food and toss the trash out on the ground. I have seen toddlers playing on railroad tracks. It was fascinating how there were no problems until the freebies came into the area.

Now, as a lawyer, I feel duty bound to give you a friendly lecture. If this man had gotten hurt on your property, you would have been sued. If he had injured someone else, you could have been sued. You took a tremendous liablity risk by letting him stay on your property. Did you have a lease? Probably not. Did you do any type of criminal history on him? If not, he could have been a criminal or have had an unsavory background. If the work he did on your house had been bad, you would have had no remedy since the man would presumably not have had any insurance.

Give to the Salvation Army next time you want to help someone. Its a great charity.

I wouldn't about what some vagrant says about you. Anyone who believes him isn't worth having as a friend.

Answer 2

First of all, I would never let some homeless person park their camper on my property. I am not required to help every person who is down on their luck. You were trying to be nice and I respect you for that. I am sorry that this person took advantage of you. Not all homeless people would treat you this way, but I would be very cautious of who I am nice to in the future. There are a lot of lazy con-artists out there who wouldn't think twice about taking everything you have. . . no matter what they have to do to get it. Be less trusting of people in the future. Guard your privacy and your income.

Answer 3

There's a reason the phrase "No good deed goes unpunished" exists. You did a good deed. You got punished. People can be very resentful. I think that is what happened. You showed kindness, and expected kindness in return. Instead, it's disappointing that you were repaid in unkind ways. That's the behavior of jealous or unbalanced people.

Answer 4

You should not have let him live there, but since you did, getting rid of him was best. He's not family and you don't know him. I understand that it was a nice thing for you to do, but people are crazy and no telling what he could have done. Don't worry about the lies he's telling. Only fools would believe him.

Answer 5

Just let it go. Your impulse to help was noble, and you tried to help. But there is very little one can do to help someone in the long run if he is not willing to change his own behavior. I would guess that his attitude problems and behavior have a lot to do with why he is 'down and out' in the first place.

One thing I have learned: I can not change what people say or think about me. If he goes around spreading lies about you and your husband, that will most likely reflect more badly on him than it will on you.

As for a 'right to be angry...' We are, or should be, masters of our own reactions. I suppose I have a 'right' to be angry that my neighbors behind me play their music loudly sometimes. But, in the long run, it serves me better to let it go. In the long run, I would rather be peaceful than be 'right.'

Let it go. Breathe. It's in the past.

Answer 6

Some people just don't want to work. They feel like everyone else owes them a living. When anyone disagrees with them, they make it sound like we're the bad guys.

Now I'm not a Bible thumper, but it does say that when you give, you are blessed. It doesn't say anything about how he receives it. Just know that you did a good thing, and don't let one ingrate ruin your blessing.

Answer 7

Consider it an expensive lesson learned. It's like the age old saying goes " No good deed goes unpunished". He's only mad because you won't be his enabler anymore. Count your blessing be glad he's gone and that he's now somebody else's problem.

Answer 8

Ignore him and consider it a lesson learned.Just leave him be.I hope you never gave him a key to let himself in your home.He has made a living doing this.He is unstable and probably gets a check and needs no help at all....

Answer 9

Be glad he is gone. You should be mad - but just let it go and think of it as a bad experience that you will never repeat.

Answer 10

Count your blessings he is gone. Does it really matter what he is saying? You helped a needy person, your heart was in the right place, don't regret your decision.