BiggerPockets

Eight, Count'Em, Eight More Lawsuits

Tuesday, July 28

They say that when it rains, it pours. If that's true, then today must have been a real storm. I started my work today with a trip to the bank and post office. When I picked up the mail, I had EIGHT letters via certified mail. As a rule, certified mail is generally not a good thing. That was especially true today as they were all lawsuits! UGH!

I posted the story of the first lawsuit about two weeks ago (7/16/09). As you may recall, the city has decided to attempt to collect past due water bills from the landlord, even though the tenant subscribed to the water service. They don't even try to collect from the tenant - they just go after the "RICH" landlord!!! Needless to say, that is COMPLETELY IMMORAL. Although we're headed straight into socialism and the government wants to 'share the wealth' through taxation, it is RIDICULOUS to think that I should pay the tenant's bill for them. What's next? Should I buy their clothes? Should I buy them a car? GIVE ME A BREAK!

If you've read much of my story, then you know that I'm a real jackass when I think I've been wronged. I will NOT give in and pay these bastards! Instead, I will do whatever it takes to fight these frivilous lawsuits. Along with a few other local investors and our REIA, I am trying to organize a lawsuit against the city. We have a big-time, out-of-town attorney coming to the next REIA meeting and we will be organizing as many landlords as possible to be party to the lawsuit. I will be writing a scathing Letter to the Editor and will meet with the news department of the newspaper to have a news article done on this story. As far as I'm concerned, it's going to be war against the morons running the city! They're up for election in November and our REIA already has two members running for city council!

Beyond that bit of cheery news to start my day, I did actually get some work done. I trashed out a vacant 2 bedroom apartment; collected 2 rents; and started working on rehabbing a deck in preparation for a Section 8 inspection next week. I also repaired a broken screen door lock.

Comments

1. 

   Mark Yuschak Reply
   over 2 years ago

   It seems that water bill collection is an issue everywhere. The biggest debacle where I invest is dealing with the city for turn ons, shut offs, and stolen meters.

   It's great - when the water is in the tenant's name, but the meter gets stolen, they try charging the landlord $350 for a new meter even though it was the tenant who didn't secure the property. I think most all city governments are corrupt; especially when it comes to water billing.

2. 

   Nick J. Reply
   over 2 years ago

   This is going to be interesting to watch unfold! I look forward to the updates

3. 

   Norm Chrostowski Reply
   over 2 years ago

   Mike you should be GIVING, like myself. just pay the nice tenants water bill...................NNNNNOOOOOOOTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. 

   Mike M Reply
   over 2 years ago

   I get this problem all the time. The city states that even though the utilities are in the tenants name, the property owner is secondarily liable for the utility payment. And to add insult to injury, they will not allow the utilities to be turned back on by a new tenant until the bill is paid in full. Good luck Mike.

5. mikeoh Reply
   over 2 years ago

   That's why we're organizing the landlords to file a federal lawsuit. Some things just are not right and I'm not paying anyone else's bills!!!