Locking out a tenant in Detroit

Locking out a tenant in Detroit

Dearborn, MI · Member since 2017 · 72 posts · 19 votes

I've been having a big problem with tenants in Detroit. They move in and 2nd month don't pay. They know the system and stall court hearings and end up staying in the house free for months. By the time I get them.out the house is destroyed and a filthy mess and the yard looks like a jungle.

Then....here's the kicker, on the way out they steal the furnace and hot water tank. 

I just rented a house and it's the 2md month and the tenants.dont pay and already said they're going to court. 

They have only been there 1 month. They obviously moved in with the intention to not pay after getting in. They broke the porch and security door, haven't cut the grass or cleaned drainage area in front of the house, they have not paid for trash pick up.and when I was in the house last there were multiple bags of trash piled up inside.

I just fixed the house from the last tenants paint, floors  etc. Re pipes the entire house with pex because the last tenants purposely broke the plumbing after being evicted,  I put a brand new furnace and hot water tank in because the last tenants stole it after being evicted.

They were supposed to get internet so the security cameras could be installed said it would be this week but lied. They have someone living in the house who is not on the lease and say he's just " visiting."

Im seriously considering just changing the locks and being done with it. 

Whats the worse they can do? Try to sue me for damages? If they can't pay rent and trash pick up how will they pay an attorney? 

Going the legal route with professional tenants cost thousands of dollars. They'll sit for free then steal the furnace and hot water tank on way out. It's happened twice now. 

If I lock them out, will.the police make me let them back in or can they legally break in or is their only recourse civil court? 

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Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2019 · 446 posts · 566 votes
6y

Cynthia, you have multiple threads you've initiated where you're basically saying you want to illegally lock your tenants out, you are getting everyone's advice saying not to do that and great information as to why you shouldn't, and you are arguing against it.

You openly admitted you didn't fully screen your tenants by calling past landlords because you assumed they'd lie - what did you think you were getting yourself into?

Sounds like you have been running your rental operation completely upside down - you are on this website that is full of amazing resources and people giving you great advice for free - I hope you take the advice you've been receiving, but truthfully it sounds like you have your mind made up.

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  • Dearborn, MI · Member since 2017 · 72 posts · 19 votes
    6y

    For those of you who are not in Michigan and not in Detroit proper, particularly, you can't even begin to imagine the problems with Detroit tenants. These are not the typical run of the mill low income tenants. They are all pros. They have more tricks up their sleeves than a magician!!

    Ive been in the trenches since before detroit was making a "comeback." I'm hands on. I clean and paint after the tenants trash the house. I'm there,  not outsourcing to a property manager.

    ive tried just about everything, even property management which was worse. I've talked to several other investors who are local and have property near and they have the same problems. I guess those who have a large portfolio and have it outscored it's worth it even if half the tenants pay but a lot have gotten out.

    Ive kept hanging in because I have seen a big change in the city as far as trying to bring it back. They are doing a great job knocking down abandoned houses, fixing roads, sweeping the street, mowing vacant lots etc. 

    i kept hoping the property values would go up but I lately I just don't see how that can happen without fresh blood in the city. No one wants to live in Detroit, excluding downtown, and a few good pockets. We need home owners to boost values. I feel values have risen slightly due to investors jumping in.

    John trachout, tenants have stolen the hot water tank and furnace a TWICE in the last 2 years. This is why I feel the next tenants will do the same on their way out after being evicted. The last tenant purposely broke all the plumbing in the basement as well.

    The tenants show up polite with documents in hand just to get in. Then milk you for free rent and steal everything on the way out. It's a game.

    One Local investor told me he removes the furnace before they leave once they know he's going to evict.

  • Rental Property Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2018 · 47 posts · 20 votes
    6y

    @Cynthia Miller establish a better vetting tenants process before you place them in your properties

  • Member since 2019 · 248 posts · 248 votes
    6y

    First, you need to get better at evictions... Always do a 30 day Notice! The courts are bias towards the tenants - if you ask for rent or any money the tenants will say the property is in bad condition and the judge will ask for inspections to stall the process.  Lets be honest... you aren't getting the money. 30 day notice - you just want your property back - the max the judge can give them is 10 days.

    Second, screen your tenants better.  I don't rent to anyone that doesn't get a government check LOL... that way you will know on the 3rd if you're getting rent or not... if they don't pay you on the 3rd you start eviction.

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