Sue Oregon tenant for excessive damages

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Sue Oregon tenant for excessive damages

Andy Kaplan
Member since 2019 · 8 posts · 2 votes

Our tenants were in a house for 6 years. It was in perfect shape when they moved in. The place was a mess when they moved out: 

Damaged countertop, damaged sink, broken garbage disposal, filthy carpets and other flooring, paint marks on floors, paint on walls (poorly done and erratic), holes in walls, tears in marmoleum, broken window sill...

It cost us about $6K to repaint, clean and remediate. The security deposit was $750. They have jobs but are not professionals. 

Have you sued tenants? What was the result?

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  • Lori Lusk
    Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2015 · 13 posts · 6 votes
    5y

    My advice is move on. It sucks, but you’ll end up spending a boatload on attorney’s fees and all it will get you is a judgement and they’ll never pay it. I’d also recommend increasing your security deposit if the market allows and warrants it. Especially if you’re in a C or D neighborhood. It’ll happen again and again.  Unfortunate part of residential is you’ll get some not so great tenants. 

    Also, not sure if you went in the place during those 6 years, but I’d also recommend at least annual inspections to make sure they’re treating the home well. You can even have certain things repaired or replaced during their tenancy if they are beyond normal wear and tear. Or you can kick them out. Always good to do the inspection before renewing their lease.  

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    5y

    You can take them to Small Claims Court. Get a judgment, hand it over to a collections agency, and then move on. It won't cost you much but maybe you'll get lucky and collect some of what's owed. At a minimum, it could reflect on their credit report and possibly prevent them from doing this to someone else.

    You should inspect at least once a year. Had you done that, you could have prevented this entire situation.

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