Tenant gets away with not paying rent for 14 years! $34k+ debt!

Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes

Man this really gets me infuriated. Someone left this comment on a video I posted on another website about an eviction we did in Cleveland last year. This person moved to Italy where the landlord tenant laws are apparently much different than here in the USA. Not only has this tenant stolen from their landlord for over 14 years & racked up a debt of 34,000 Euros they are actually proud of this behavior!

What are your thoughts?

2 Reply

153 views

Most Popular Reply

Jonathan Taylor SmithBusiness Member

Rental Property Investor · Durham / Raleigh (Triangle), NC · Member since 2015 · 841 posts · 803 votes

That's the entitlement mentality for ya... In a world where most people don't own 1 house, how dare we own 2 or more!? In the mind of many, that makes you a "Rich SOB" and so you deserve to have it taken away... If not by the government, than by whomever can do so - and amazingly they do not consider it theft. Many think to charge a hungry person for food is wrong; and so they think to charge a person "on disability" or otherwise encountering hard times for a place to live is also wrong. Charity certainly has its place and should be done by all who are able, but the next election is going to be crazy with each candidate fighting to adopt the most Socialist agenda - so those EURO policies of FREE EVERYTHING at "the other person's" expense may be coming here. Fun times for those trying to get ahead with leeches all around.

Blue Chariot Realty & Management4.915 Reviews

Website View Page

35 Reply

See this reply in the discussion

70 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
7y
There are all kinds of people. I really don't understand the type of person that would do this let alone boast about it.
4 Reply
Frank Geiger
Rental Property Investor · NC · Member since 2018 · 776 posts · 776 votes
7y
Wow! That would not fly in the US. Leeches man
4 Reply
James Wise
OP
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
7y
Originally posted by @Theresa Harris:

There are all kinds of people. I really don't understand the type of person that would do this let alone boast about it.
The fact that people do not consider living in a house without paying rent the same is theft is the underlying cause of this. To the life of my I cannot understand why the general consensus is that it's any different. Shelter, like food & clothing is not free.
9 Reply
Jonathan Taylor SmithBusiness Member
Rental Property Investor · Durham / Raleigh (Triangle), NC · Member since 2015 · 841 posts · 803 votes
7y
That's the entitlement mentality for ya... In a world where most people don't own 1 house, how dare we own 2 or more!? In the mind of many, that makes you a "Rich SOB" and so you deserve to have it taken away... If not by the government, than by whomever can do so - and amazingly they do not consider it theft. Many think to charge a hungry person for food is wrong; and so they think to charge a person "on disability" or otherwise encountering hard times for a place to live is also wrong. Charity certainly has its place and should be done by all who are able, but the next election is going to be crazy with each candidate fighting to adopt the most Socialist agenda - so those EURO policies of FREE EVERYTHING at "the other person's" expense may be coming here. Fun times for those trying to get ahead with leeches all around.
Blue Chariot Realty & Management4.915 Reviews
Website View Page
35 Reply
Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
7y
Originally posted by @James Wise:
Shelter, like food & clothing is not free.
14+ years is amazing. I have to admit I thought it was going to be in the Bay Area. I wonder if the government is picking up their rent. I can't imagine a landlord would go that long without rent. I think many would hire someone to "make sure they fully qualify for disability" long before that.
3 Reply
William C.
Real Estate Agent · Souderton, PA · Member since 2016 · 591 posts · 414 votes
7y
@James Wise you should reach out via direct message and tell them how impressed you are by their actions. Make it seem like you want to try it as well. See if they’ll share any personal info with you like ask “wow, is it a nice rental, where do you live”. Maybe a name or phone number to “talk more”. Then out there a**. I’d also be curious to know who the landlord is. Does someone really just let tenants live rent free for 14 year? Why not just get rid of it rather than paying taxes on a property with no income?
4 Reply
Thomas S.
Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
7y
They are in public housing, government and welfare what would you expect. Government isn't interested in police the system. Abuse of welfare is rampant in every country in the world.
If it were not public housing and they were not leaching off of the workers they would not have faired so well.
0 Reply
Ernie V.
Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2014 · 63 posts · 16 votes
7y
its probably something similar to section 8 here, landlord gets paid by government directly without tenant even knowing. i lived in Italy and there is plenty of those programs there
1 Reply
James Wise
OP
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
7y
Originally posted by @Frank Geiger:

Wow! That would not fly in the US. Leeches man
Hope not. But you never know. Some states are putting in some pretty wild laws. There are a few who don't allow landlords to use previous evictions as a screening qualification. Some needs to explain the logic behind that one to me. Although I feel like i'd just be banging my head against the nearest wall while listening to it.
2 Reply
James Wise
OP
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
7y
Originally posted by @Ernie V.:

its probably something similar to section 8 here, landlord gets paid by government directly without tenant even knowing. i lived in Italy and there is plenty of those programs there
Doubtful. The tenants made it a point to say that they owe 34,000 Euros & that I should be happy that they aren't my tenant. If it was being paid in full like Section 8 that point wouldn't make much sense....I have asked a follow up on the video thread. I'll update yoo when the dead beat responds.
1 Reply
Nick Rutkowski
Rental Property Investor · Ithaca, NY · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
@James Wise
Good for them, they win the award for the most absent landlord of the century. He would be better off forming a charity so he could at least take a tax credit or something for not taking rents.
4 Reply
Sam Shueh
Real Estate Agent · Cupertino, CA · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
It is not something one will tell his grandchildren how some people get away by fleeing.
0 Reply
Jason D.
Rental Property Investor · St. Petersburg, FL · Member since 2017 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
7y
I blame the landlord. The tenant didnt steal money, the landlord willingly gave it to the tenant by doing nothing
3 Reply
Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
7y
Thank God he's able to afford the internet so he can post about how he's ripping people off. I would hate to see this poor soul go without basics.
Seriously, I'm all for free healthcare as long as they give up all their comforts. Nobody should be able to live on the public dole without sacrificing their own comforts first. That includes TV, Doritos, pop, cell phones, name-brand clothing, etc. Boiled chicken, rice, and water will sustain anyone for their entire life until they can afford to work for better things.
The DIY Landlord Book4.7243 Reviews
Website View Page
14 Reply
Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
7y
Just looked up Italy landlord-tenant law. As expected, Italy is strongly pro-tenant.
Minimum lease period is 4 years. Tenant has the right to renew the contract for another 4 years. The landlord has the right to raise rent between the contracts to an amount not to exceed 75% of the CPI - that's 25% less than inflation. If the landlord wishes to terminate the contract after the 8 years are up, they just need to give 6 months advance notice.
Evictions for non-payment are swift. The trial duration flies by in about 450 days. If ruled against, the tenant must immediately leave the unit after an additional 180 days. Should the tenant become unemployed, he is given a few (365) additional days. Basically in a short 2.9 years the deadbeat is out.
After reading that, I found the following which is absolutely shocking. Apparently the Italian rental market has been in decline for decades, since the 1920s when the government worked its magic and instituted special statutes, denied termination of contracts, and prevented rent increases. In 1978, the Italians went "all in" with the Fair Rent Law that set 4 years as the minimum duration and cemented rent control.
After the initial 4 year contract is up, landlords may remove tenants in order to sell their properties. This has led to a dramatic move away from rentals as they are no longer profitable. Existing landlords are now front loading inflation into contracts since they can't raise rents even at the level of inflation at renewal.
16 Reply
Lee Bell
Real Estate Appraiser · Isabella lake, CA · Member since 2018 · 628 posts · 491 votes
7y
@Greg M.
Amazing. Maybe they can stop dissing California now.
1 Reply
Deanna O.
Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2010 · 377 posts · 314 votes
7y
I lived in Italy for a year as a kid in the '70s. The landlord was thrilled to be able to rent to us, because rent could only be raised between tenants, and then only by a certain percentage, and we were only going to be there a year. The previous tenant had lived there since at least WW2, so the rent was a pittance. Win/win for us & landlord.
1 Reply
Jeremy Blevins
Folsom, CA · Member since 2018 · 134 posts · 100 votes
7y
It’s amazing that homes are still for rent over there. I’m sure over the course of time all these countries will end up like Venezuela!
2 Reply
Caleb Heimsoth
Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2016 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
7y
@James Wise. All I gotta say is thank god they left our country. Italy can deal with it lol
3 Reply
Scott Scheel
Flipper/Rehabber · Fort Lauderdale-Miami-Boca Raton, FL · Member since 2017 · 130 posts · 65 votes
7y
@James Wise It is sad that they're proud of not paying for a place to stay or anything for that matter. It never ceases to amaze me how much some people have the entitlement mentality and enjoy screwing over others.
0 Reply
Patti RobertsonBusiness Member
Property Manager · Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
7y
Looks like a troll to me. That’s not even logical.
757-472-2547
6 Reply
Levi T.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Tucson AZ / Nice FR / Washington DC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
In Italy, tenant evictions can get suspended for 6 or 18 months, if the tenant is unemployed, is over the age of 65, or has 5 or more children.
It’s not clear if they would be required to catch-up on payments after the period, or just keep paying as if they never missed a payment.
France, and most the region has some of the same laws... I have a friend who has a house he rents out in the UK, that experienced issues for about a year or two. You can normally get them out in a few months to a year, but it’s like playing cat and mouse.
0 Reply
Irina Belkofer
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2017 · 719 posts · 658 votes
7y
God bless America
I don't want to do any business in Europe
3 Reply
James Wise
OP
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
7y
Originally posted by @Jonathan Taylor Smith:

That's the entitlement mentality for ya... In a world where most people don't own 1 house, how dare we own 2 or more!? In the mind of many, that makes you a "Rich SOB" and so you deserve to have it taken away... If not by the government, than by whomever can do so - and amazingly they do not consider it theft. Many think to charge a hungry person for food is wrong; and so they think to charge a person "on disability" or otherwise encountering hard times for a place to live is also wrong. Charity certainly has its place and should be done by all who are able, but the next election is going to be crazy with each candidate fighting to adopt the most Socialist agenda - so those EURO policies of FREE EVERYTHING at "the other person's" expense may be coming here. Fun times for those trying to get ahead with leeches all around.
Well said. Here are some other comments on the same eviction video that more or less highlight exactly what you have said. The thought process behind these people is laughable at best, scary at worst.
Spicewood Radical 2 days ago
You are an immoral and large part of the housing problem in the USA.
---
Jewish Person 1 day ago
Look another greedy unrighteous landlord with no heart. There's a special place in hell for land lords.
---
Boz David 3 weeks ago
All landlords deserve death.
---
froggy57 3 days ago
Greedy sobs who buy houses to rent them out are the real a$$hole$
---
some dude 20 hours ago
Land lords are f***ing scumbags . Never ****ing rent . I hope op hangs himself.
1 Reply
Tom Antonio
DE · Member since 2019 · 31 posts · 21 votes
7y
WOW what an eye opener for all that don't have any experience with the Socialist State. People in the US need to wake up and stop courting the Socialist Beast. And by the way if you think you are safe think again, look at CA, IL, NY, and other Socialist minded Legislatures that have been dismantling Landlords Rights for years. There are sites on the web that teach you how not to pay rent in lots of places in the US that have adopted Socialist style housing laws. These Socialist in our legislatures are using private business people as their piggy banks. They create laws that sap the economy and then when people are all poor and distressed they fix this by putting those burdens they created on the most productive people in our country like ourselves and other hard working producers in our economy. This article is really not about real estate its about politicians using your hard work and money to garner votes and likes along with building their parties and political war chest. LETS ALL WAKE UP AND SHUT THESE PEPLE DOWN. If we do not these crazy laws will slowly creep in to you town and state.
Thank you for reading and engaging
7 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.