Help: Tenants living in unhealthy manner with children

[Robert Campbell]

Can't evict... Do I call CPS?  Do I call the health department?  Or do I offer to give them their money back if they leave as my lawyer advised? All of the above? 

I have a duplex with a tenant one on side who is living in unhealthy / hazardous conditions (I'll call it UNIT A), I would normally start eviction immediately, but have not because of the moratorium.  I have discussed with my attorney, evictions are rarely going through due to the moratorium, and my best option is to pay them to leave.

- A new tenant moved in next to them (UNIT B) a week ago and started complaining of roaches.

- I called my pest control service, the they came and treated both units, the "messy" tenant showed up to unlock the door for them and left.

- The pest control technician called me from UNIT A, advising that there were unsafe / hazardous living conditions, and proceeded to send photos.  Some of the items he mentioned are:

- - Dead mice scattered throughout the unit

- - Mouse droppings on all surfaces including in kitchen cabinets, counters, stove

- - Trash piles and mounds along walls

- - A large number of live mice in the unit - the tech said he moved a bed that was in the basement, and dozens of mice ran out

- - Fruit flies in every room

- - Dog feces on the floor

Thanks in advance for any advice,

-Rob

[Theresa Harris]

I'd call CPS looking at those photos.  Also you should be able to get them out for health reasons via an eviction.  Did you tell your lawyer that it is NOT for non-payment of rent?  I'd post a notice to cure and tell them they have to get out, so you can treat the unit.

also hindsight is great, but you need to do regular inspections, especially with new tenants.  I know they are not the new ones that moved in, but I'm guessing this was like this for a while.