Tenants Broke the lease, trashed, and vacated the Property | WTD

[Sean Witherspoon]

I had a tenant text me this morning telling me that they moved out of the property last month.  There was no prior communication of the tenant vacating.  The lease was a 5 year lease and each year was guaranteed unless both parties agreed to part ways 90 days before the new lease year started.  The first lease year ends on November 30th and I was contacted today (Novermber 9th) and informed that the tenants already moved.  The place is completely trashed with garbage and flies everywhere. Do I have any legal footing here?

[Steve Vaughan]

Originally posted by @Sean Witherspoon:

Steve, no they were just vvery messy people.  They had a dog, but they also had a pet rent.  I don;t think the dog did too much damage.  They problem is they left their junk in the house,  Every room has stuff in it.  They even bought an extra refrigerator.  The garage is full of garbage.  Probably like 30+ trash bags.  Not sure why they didn't throw away on trash days.

Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:

Originally posted by @Sean Witherspoon:

I had a tenant text me this morning telling me that they moved out of the property last month.  There was no prior communication of the tenant vacating.  The lease was a 5 year lease and each year was guaranteed unless both parties agreed to part ways 90 days before the new lease year started.  The first lease year ends on November 30th and I was contacted today (Novermber 9th) and informed that the tenants already moved.  The place is completely trashed with garbage and flies everywhere. Do I have any legal footing here?

I usually don't get a text, just discover it vacant.

At least they left and you have possession. Bjorn gave great ideas for next steps.  

 What was missed with your screening criteria?  Smokers? Animals?  Roommates? 

So just trash out and cleaning?  Not bad.  You're definition of 'place is completely trashed' will change over time probably.

I like to swing by where my applicants currently live to ask a few final questions. At least look in their car when they view.  That and previous references should help avoid this in the future👍