Phone etiquette

likeanoldtimemovie · August 2014

DH and I are looking for a home to rent and I found a great one last night. I wanted to call the owner today, around 10am, to ask about seeing the place, but DH is all "you can't call people on Sundays!"

Um, I can't?

What say you guys?

Ilumine · August 2014

I would call, but I would make the time's between noon and 5. That way if they are sleeping in or going to church, you are not disturbing them.

LoveBeingMama · August 2014

I would call today. Chances are, they want to get the place rented ASAP and are fine with you calling. I think after 10 is fine. If they are sleeping or at church, leave a message.

Edit: but I am looking at this as someone who lives in a major metropolitan area where, if you find a house you like, you often need to act quickly. Otherwise, someone else will call on Sunday and get it first. If you live in a slower-paced area, it may not be necessary to call today. And, though it's usually just for houses being sold and not rented, open houses are almost exclusively held on Sundays around here, so it isn't odd to be inquiring about available homes on a Sunday.

dizzycooks · August 2014

Oh I'd call and as a landlord I'd be happy to get that call!

ConnieRob · August 2014

Call! The house we are currently renting, I found online at 10pm on Saturday night. I waited until 10am on Sunday to call, we went and saw it that afternoon and signed the papers on Monday. In our area, houses within a certain school district go fast so you have to jump on them.

A landlord expects phone calls any day of the week so I would definitely call. If they are busy or in church, their phone should be set to go to voicemail anyways. Good luck!

jensriot · August 2014

My sister is a landlord and would love a call on Sunday or any other day. She may be at church on Sunday, but waiting until Monday means she wouldn't get back to you until after work, for her.

zbeesma86 · August 2014

I would call. And have called people that are renting to inquire about setting up a time to view the property. Absolutely. You don't want it to go!

likeanoldtimemovie · August 2014

Thanks ladies!

@ConnieRob‌ They go fast around here, too! This one is in a great location, big enough and in our price range. I don't want it to go!

hayleydeee · August 2014

I'd call. Time is of the essence in this situation. Someone else might get to it first if you wait!

Xtine22 · August 2014

scatteredtrees said:

I'd call, if they don't want to do business on a Sunday, then I'd assume they won't answer.

This

spring_time · August 2014

In this case, I would say to call. I think landlords expect it, especially if they post at 10pm on Saturday. I know I would expect immediate calls.

ETA: Oops, I though the OP said it was posted at 10pm the night before. If the posting has been around for awhile, I would wait until at least noon...but I have never rented, so I guess my opinion is just based on etiquette.

penguingrrl · August 2014

It would never occur to me not to call on a Sunday. I always figure that private LLs work standard business hours and need to do this stuff over the weekend. I've also always rented in very high demand areas where not responding within an hour or two of a good rental being posted meant it was likely already gone.