Beverly Hills, CA · Member since 2011 · 7 posts · 1 vote
I have a tenant who is deducting $25 from the full rent of $2000 per month. They have done this two month now. So they owe $50 total.
Backstory
I gave them credit for utility bills because the unit they were in, used the same electric meter for the common laundry room. I have since installed another meter so now there are two meters. The $25 was for my share of the utilities. I have since issued them a 30 day notice of change that this $25 will no longer be given. Since then they took it upon themselves to just deduct it from the rent. Before I would give them $25. I stopped give them the $25. So they decided to take it from the rent.
There reasoning because it isn't fair. Not exactly in these words but it is essentially what they were getting at after a long talk with them.
Would a judge evict someone on such little of an amount?
The rent is $2000. Yes the $25 credit was on the lease. Yes, I have late fees in the lease.
There are other issues with the tenants that just prompted me to get another meter. But I agree.
Even if I wanted to evict, the question remains, would the judge rule in my favor, for $75? Lawyers see this as a cause for eviction but since CA is tenant friendly, I like to get other opinions.
What is a "60 Day Notice of Eviction for late rent"?
As a landlord i wouldn't of even mentioned to them in the beginning that the meter was tied to the laundry. It would of been a small different specially if it was just a duplex and not like laundry is going on all the time. Telling them that just opens up can of worms.
Property Manager · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 728 posts · 596 votes
4y
@Joseph None
I would let them know they now owe the $25 plus the late fee as detailed in the lease. Does the lease list the full amount? If they do not pay the full amount, then I would issue a 10 day notice to pay, and eviction follow the 10 day notice. Do they really want to have an eviction on their record for $25 a month?
Of course, all of this is supported by the lease which should detail the $25 discount and now the situation has materially changed.