Tenant moved in baby mama and four kids.

[Seintra Mouton]

Husband and wife just moved in about 3 weeks ago with their 2 children. Wife calls me and tells me husband has moved his baby mama in with her 4 kids and a cat. My lease agreement states that visitors are not allowed to visit for more than a week and I don't not allow pets. Wife is saying this may be a long-term thing with the baby mama staying with them.  I will give them paperwork on the pet charging a $50 a month fee for the cat. Wife is calling me for help. Says husband could get abusive with her. I'm not sure if I should just stay out of it or enforce the contract after a week of the baby mama staying there. What would you do in this situation? 

[Zachary Ware]

First, I would touch up on your local landlord laws. I would also recommend strictly following your lease. If this does not allow for visitors or tenants who did not sign the lease, I would recommend getting the tenants out as soon as possible. This situation sounds like it could get very complicated, and I personally would not want to be involved by having this happen at one of my residences. 

[John Underwood]

Tell them baby mama and all extras not on lease have 14 days to move out. Follow local laws if different. 

14 days later file an eviction if issue is not cured.

[Ned J.]

Follow the lease.... no visitors or people not on the lease.

Failure to comply is in violation of the lease and start the eviction process if they dont comply

DO NOT get involved with the sob stories of why this is happening and the ramifications of them not complying. This will only be the first of more drama and excuses..... next will be excuses for not paying the rent etc etc...

[Richard F.]

Aloha,

Assuming the current wife is on the Rental Agreement along with hubby, whatever "could" happen is none of your concern. She needs to call PD if she has issues with him. Enforcing your Agreement IS. And don't waste time talking with any of them, just send a clear and concise notice stating the violations and deadline to cure before your next action. If you allow this one to have a cat, you will need to let all tenants have cats. Is that ideal?

[Daren H.]

The baby momma, kids, husband, wife, other kids, and kitty cat all gotta go if the lease is broken (and I like kitty cats). Right now only the lease is broken. Sooner than later I could see your property being broken. I would stay out of the personal stuff. Its all unfortunate but this won't be the last tenant problem. If you go around taking on everyone's personal stuff you are going run away from this business. Just do it nicely, politely, and as professionally as possible. 

[Seintra Mouton]

Thank you, thank you to everyone who replied. I know exactly what I have to do now. This was so helpful for me. You all are so right, just follow what I have in the lease and I can't go wrong.

[Mike Dymski]

[Bud Gaffney]

@Seintra Mouton file for eviction tomorrow. No seriously.

[Theresa Harris]

Tell them that the ex has to leave with the kids.  The house was rented to the husband and wife and as per the lease, no long term guests are allowed.

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Seintra Mouton:

Stick to your policy. The baby mama is an unauthorized Tenant and needs to vacate. If she refuses to leave, you end the lease for all of them and start over.

[Mackaylee Beach]

Follow your lease and pay no mind to whatever story they give you!

[Henry T.]

I don't know Louisiana laws. But, if you were in Seattle there would be nothing you could do. You cannot subject additional immediate family to screening. You could maybe add a cat fee, and that's it. Hopefully this is not an issue for you.

[Julien Jeannot]

Follow the lease and be sure to follow the local procedures to a T. If this turns into a an eviction, not following proper procedures can reset the clock.