A New York City landlord made a viral TikTok about taking her tenant's packages 'until they pay up'

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A New York City landlord incited backlash on Friday when she posted a TikTok claiming she had confiscated her tenant's packages when they couldn't pay their rent. After she received criticism, she claimed her video was untrue and a joke, and on Sunday the woman allegedly threatened legal action against a person who shared her video.

"My tenant is late on rent and is avoiding me but has money to order," read captions on the viral video of a woman dancing as she held a package. "So I take all their packages until they pay up.

"I'm so petty," another on-screen caption read.

Abbe Awosanya, who confirmed to BuzzFeed News on Saturday that she made the video, told the outlet that she never withheld packages from her tenants and that her video was a "skit" inspired by her previous experiences.

https://news.yahoo.com/york-city-landlord-made-viral-192624206.html

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Lovely

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8282149/Outrage-landlady-posts-TikTok-video-claiming-steals-packages-tenants-pay-rent.html

[mtngirl47]

2. As a landlord I will say that it's annoying

when a tenant can't pay their rent and you see packages being delivered daily
or when a tenant can't pay their rent because they went on vacation.

That being said...I have one tenant that is currently unemployed and I'm working with him. He has filed but hasn't received his first check. Fingers crossed he'll get it going and they'll back pay him....so he can pay me!

[cwydro]

6. I've sent things from Amazon to people I know who are in difficulty.

People do things like that.

The tenant may not have ordered the items themselves, but even if they did...she can’t steal their mail. I hope to god she’s prosecuted.

[tblue37]

12. Tampering with mail is a federal offense. nt

Last edited Mon May 4, 2020, 09:55 PM - Edit history (1)

[cwydro]

17. I'm not sure why you're telling me that. I'm aware of that.

That’s why I said I hope she was prosecuted.

[tblue37]

19. I wasnt, actually. I just clicked "Reply" without making sure it was under the right post. Sorry. nt

[cwydro]

21. Lol, no worries.

Well, she’s on video bragging about it, so hopefully she’ll get a visit from authorities.

Just as bad as the porch pirates.

[Jake Stern]

7. As the boss at my very first job once told me:

"Don't assume - it makes an ass out of u and me."

[mtngirl47]

9. I don't know what you think I'm assuming.

I see the packages. I flatten the boxes next to the dumpster...and know that they got a new TV or shoes, etc.

Folks tell me they went to the beach....and that's why their rent is late.

I'm not evicting people or holding their packages---in fact, as I said in my post---I'm working with one of my tenants right now who is unemployed.

I'm a bleeding heart, liberal landlord that has spent over 20 years walking the walk---giving people second chances, helping them to better their lives. I've given away untold thousands of dollars to help people who come my way. My daughter says I have enough Karma for several lives.

[liberalmuse]

8. This is why landlords aren't very popular.

It's hard to determine why someone is getting a package. I have had work equipment mailed to me when I worked from home. My friend sometimes spontaneously sends me packages out of the blue. Others may have their medications or medical equipment mailed to them. It's nobody's fucking business.

[Polybius]

25. Pre-orders too

Sometime I order something when I have extra money that won't be released for another 6 months.

[kcr]

10. You should mind your own business.

You have no idea who paid for those packages.

[Victor_c3]

11. I get it. My parents own a rental next door to their home

Rent gets a month or two behind and the guy comes home with two new jet-skis and a fancy trailer

[kcr]

13. Yes. That's what's in those Amazon packages.

Jet-skis. So glad you were here to help us out with that. Thank you for having landlord parents.

[Victor_c3]

14. Anytime, I'm here to help n/t

[Tipperary]

16. When I was a renter, I would NEVER rent next door to

a landlord.

Did it in college. The woman used to listen at our door. Ugh. Still gives me the willies to this day.

[Demovictory9]

20. maybe the package contains medicine or other necessity. or the online purchased help them save $$

[Polybius]

24. How do you know they paid for their packages with this month's late rent?

How do you know they didn't pre-order 6 months ago? How do you know it's not for someone else (I order for my friend who doesn't shop online, and then I drop off the package at her house and she gives me the money)? How do you know it's not a gift to them from someone else? How do you know it's not food?

[Dagstead Bumwood]

3. She must be exhibiting

more of that darn sarcasm I've lately heard so much about.

[Jake Stern]

4. Make her live in a shelter for a month with NO access to her money

Someone with a severe entitlement mentality like this needs to be humbled.

[cwydro]

5. What an utter creep.

And she thinks she’s so cool.

[Wounded Bear]

15. Interfering with the mail is a federal crime...

May not apply to UPS/Fedex etc, but still, taking packages from someone's front door ain't legal.

[cwydro]

18. Absolutely it's not.

One thing I noticed about landlords is that every of them is nosy as hell.

Glad those days are long behind me.

[Marrah_Goodman]

22. That is illegal. It is theft.

[Polybius]

23. Even if it were legal, she's a moron

Has this idiot ever heard of pre-orders? Sometime you pre-order and pay for something 6 months to a year in advance! Also, sometimes people order for others and are given the money when they give them the package. Finally, a package could be a gift.

[NickB79]

26. And if it's their insulin shipment, oopsies?

A lot of people get meds delivered in the mail.