2 weeks in and I want them gone

[renting2losers]

What is the name of your state? FL
I rented to a young couple who are self employed signing the lease on Friday the 13th, it is now the 24th. This past Friday night my husband and I were on a short vacation 2 1/2 hours away from our home. We received a call at 7 pm from our tenants stating that there was a flood in the downstairs bathroom. I asked him to call a plumber and we would pay the bill. In the lease it says that the tenant is responsible for the plumbing, but we went ahead and paid the next morning when they called. The clog was supposedly fixed, but when we returned home after 4 more phone calls from the tenant on Saturday afternoon it apparently was not. We rushed home, cut our vacation short and found that the mess was mostly cleaned up. He started to complain about all of his contents that were lost in the flooded room like his computer and printer that was on the floor. He asked if we were going to take care of his furniture, shoes and clothing that had been wet by this leak (septic back up) that he is forced to throw away. The plumber would not come back on Saturday, so my husband basically removed all of the flooring (laminate wood) in the bedroom, cleaned and disinfected the floors in all of the areas that were flooded. The tenant helped out and we felt a bit sorry for him, as this was not something that was planned on happening to either of us. We told him that contents were his responsibility and it states this in the lease. They said that they understand. My husband offered for them to take showers at or home until the plumbing situation is under control. They could still stay in the upstairs (town home) but not use the water. On Sunday after waiting around all day for the septic cleaning company they finally came at 6 pm to complete the job. The tenant had to be watching over the workers shoulders and apparently stepped in some crap and as the septic guy was leaving told me that I have to pay him for his shoes, when he is the one who stepped in the poop and I did not lead him to it. He argued in front of my home with me for 15 minutes in front of my condo (3 buildings away from my rental property) with a contractor witnessing the entire conversation. I have gone above and beyond trying to accommodate them. I am at my wits end, after getting complaints that the neighbors are hearing someone banging at 3 and 4 in the morning and they have small children trying to sleep. These tenants have not left the property for their work (Landscaping) one time in the 11 days that they have been living there. They must have lied on the application. We discussed smoking outside and apparently they are smoking inside because the neighbors smell it through the walls. Can I get out of the lease and if so..how? The tenant is scaring me and the neighbors with his temper and screaming at his girlfriend. I want a way to give them a full refund and send them on the way, but legally. How can I do this? I do not even want to redo the floor that was torn up until they leave because it will smell like smoke, what can I do?What is the name of your state?

 

[Cvillecpm]

Probably not....these are the "joys of being a landlord". Have the spetic pumped and send the tenants a nice note with a $50 gift certificate for a local restaurant and suggest they obtain renter's insurance.

When their lease is up, sell the townhouse....it is too close to where you live. Most landlords own in the name of LLCs and use a post office box for their rent collection and tenant correspondence to keep an arm's length with their tenants.

If you want to keep the unit, hire a professional property manager who can deal with these issues on a professional level.

 

[What do I do?]

I've never heard of a lease that makes the tenant liable for a plumbing problem unless they had done something that caused the problem.

When does the lease expire?

 

[renting2losers]

This is what the lease states, although I have paid for all expenses except for thier belongings. The tenant plunged it for what he says is 30 minutes instead of calling me to let me know that is was draining slowly, which may have avoided the entire flooding situation. Also his continuation of using the water, doing laundry, taking showers it would not have been so bad.

 

[What do I do?]

I agree that the problem wouldn't have been as bad if the tenant would have stopped using the water until it was fixed.

What ending causing the problem?

Collapsed sewer line? Roots? Or just a simple clog?

I agree with the other person that answered you as far as not being able to break the lease under these circumstances.

 

[Alaska landlord]

It is unfortunate that you are going through this but part of the problems lies in your screening procedure. You should have thoroughly checked them out before turning the keys over to them. Always check out the “self employed” extra carefully, this is sometimes a code word for drug dealer. Fnd a reason to evict or make them want to leave. Only do m2m agreements from now and or find a property manager.

 

[renting2losers]

I seen some of his equipment, and he was measuring for a trailer, so he was very believable. The drug dealer thought has been running through my mind.....especially since they seem to sleep all day and are up banging at night. I have just heard that they are "thinking" about taking me up on letting them out of the lease with a full refund since neither of us are happy. I will probably have to paint again, and fumigate the place from the smoke...but it will be a safer and happier street to live on! Another lesson learned!

 

[Alaska landlord]

They will probably want moving money or the deposit upfront. Don't fall for it. They will take the money and tell you to take a hike. Have them put in notice and give them the deposit when they vacate and hand you the keys. At that time change the locks.

 

[trishyj]

Fyi

I currrently rent a home and on the lease it says there is "no smoking on the premises".
Might want to add that to your lease!