Tenant Damage

[BevKuhn]

I hope someone can give me some very sound advice. It is difficult for me to fully explain my dilemma because it is so lengthy. I have had the same tenants for close to 15 years. They have always paid their rent on time, and have been very friendly. The problem, they have all but destroyed our rental home. We will have to replace the air conditioner, the refrigerator, the stove, the kitchen cupboards, the carpet, several windows, and practically all of the storm windows. The walls in several rooms will have to be replaced, along with interior doors. All bathroom fixtures are ruined from years of hard water and filth deposits. Now the issue you might not understand. All of this damage didn't just happen. For years they have had us over a barrel. In order for us to make the home rerentable, we will have to put at least $10,000 back into it. My husband is retired, and I am on disability. Our income combined is $1200.00 a month. We charge them $450.00 a month, and have only raised their rent twice in 15 years. They have made such a mes of the house, we would like to kick them to the street, and would have years ago, but we don't have the money to fix the house up, and we need the rent to make our own house payment of $600.00 a month. On top of it all, on Valentines Day, my male tenant came to my house, knowing my husband was in Florida with my son, (he took them to the airport), carrying 2 boxes of candy and a dozen of roses, saying he is in love with me, and he and his wife are looking for a house to buy, because he can no longer live here with his feelings the way they are. He is on mental disability, with a history of drug and alcohol abuse that we just recently found out about. So now they are looking for a place to move and will leave our rental house in shambles. They paid a $350.00 deposit when they moved in. What if anything can we do legally to solve this terrible mess we are in. I need legal advice badly. I don't need everyone telling me to kick myself hard, I've done that so many times, I'm bruised. If you are willing to email me, I am very hesitant to give out my email address, but if I can get an answer to this, it is worth any risk I might have to take.
Thank you for your time,
Bev.
[email protected]

 

[dj1]

First you have REALLY REALLY STOP BEING IDIOT LANDLORDS.

How dare you rasie the rent only twice in 15 years..you really are idiots and deserve to get ripped off!

How did these tenants have you over a barrel?


NOW that we all have kicked you again...... If they dont have a lease then give them a 30 day notice to vacate

YOU HIRE A LAWYER AND SUE THEM FOR ALL THE REPAIRS AND OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES .. YES GET ESTIMATES AND SUE THEM FOR THE $10,000

You have been screwed long enough.....and as long as they have a lawsuit against them they wont be able to buy a house or live in your place...that wuold be just fine with me.

OUT on the street.....YEAH!

 

[LL]

What was the logic of letting them stay for 15 years while all of this destruction was going on?

You should look at this like any other investment loss. You lost money because you didn't know how to manage it, but now the money is lost. The applicable investment rule is, Don't throw good money after bad. Take your loss, get rid of this guy, and get on with your life.