Renting out 3 rooms in my home - 2 tenants got arrested last night... need advice

[abda53]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? WA

I am a homeowner and rent out 3 of my bedrooms. Long story short, 2 of the tenants were arrested last night in the home, one for assault 4, the other for assault 3 obstruction and resisting. They saw the judge and are held with no bail. I don't know when the sentencing is. Their rent is paid for the month, not obviously there is a chance both can be sentenced for 1-many years.. They are friends, they made a mistake and I'm not here to F them over any more than than they screwed themselves. Here are my questions assuming they are sentenced for a long time:

- what is my right as a landlord as far as getting someone else into the room to cover the room rental?
- do I need to wait until their sentencing to take any kind of action?
- if I want to evict them do I need to go through the court system to do it, or do I need to wait until they are late on rent, or can it be immediate since they were arrested?
- what do I do with their stuff? Do I have the right to sell it to cover any missed rent or damages? or do I have to provide a place to store it while they are gone? Does anyone else have the right to come and claim their property - such as family or a girlfriend?
- they also each have a dog at the house, what do I do about the dogs?

Any other suggestions/recommendations would be highly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? WA

I am a homeowner and rent out 3 of my bedrooms. Long story short, 2 of the tenants were arrested last night in the home, one for assault 4, the other for assault 3 obstruction and resisting. They saw the judge and are held with no bail. I don't know when the sentencing is. Their rent is paid for the month, not obviously there is a chance both can be sentenced for 1-many years.. They are friends, they made a mistake and I'm not here to F them over any more than than they screwed themselves. Here are my questions assuming they are sentenced for a long time:

- what is my right as a landlord as far as getting someone else into the room to cover the room rental?
- do I need to wait until their sentencing to take any kind of action?
- if I want to evict them do I need to go through the court system to do it, or do I need to wait until they are late on rent, or can it be immediate since they were arrested?
- what do I do with their stuff? Do I have the right to sell it to cover any missed rent or damages? or do I have to provide a place to store it while they are gone? Does anyone else have the right to come and claim their property - such as family or a girlfriend?
- they also each have a dog at the house, what do I do about the dogs?

Any other suggestions/recommendations would be highly appreciated. Thank you

Be patient - you can't even move to evict until they're late on rent.

As for the dogs - that's a bit tougher. Can you care for them for a while until you get a better idea of what's going to happen? Granted, you shouldn't have to, but it might be the decent thing to do.

 

[abda53]

Be patient - you can't even move to evict until they're late on rent.

As for the dogs - that's a bit tougher. Can you care for them for a while until you get a better idea of what's going to happen? Granted, you shouldn't have to, but it might be the decent thing to do.

I believe so for the dogs.

I thought I had read that in WA you can evict if arrested, however I know that the arrest does not prove guilt, and the sentencing is what is important.. so i guess my main concern/question is once next month rolls around (5th is considered late) and their rent is not paid, do I need to go through the court system to get a new tenant in, or if they are in jail for x months/years what do I need to do?

Thanks for the response

 

[not2cleverRed]

Why are you assuming that they will be in prison for a long time?

 

[abda53]

Why are you assuming that they will be in prison for a long time?

I'm just thinking of all of the scenarios (min/max sentencing, etc) so I can plan ahead.

I just heard from the DV4 guy, he was let out on his own cognizance and is waiting to hear if the other guy will be let out. So I will find out more tonight.

 

[adjusterjack]

I'm just thinking of all of the scenarios (min/max sentencing, etc) so I can plan ahead.

Study the WA landlord/tenant statute:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?Cite=59

If you still can't figure out your rights, remedies, and obligations, then hire a lawyer.

The money you pay the lawyer is your tuition for a life lesson from the school of hard knocks: NEVER rent out part of your house.

 

[not2cleverRed]

I'm just thinking of all of the scenarios (min/max sentencing, etc) so I can plan ahead.

I just heard from the DV4 guy, he was let out on his own cognizance and is waiting to hear if the other guy will be let out. So I will find out more tonight.

In other words, you are jumping the gun and making assumptions.

You can't assume they won't make rent... until they don't pay rent.