Tenant won't leave after a fire and utilities turned off

Tenant won't leave after a fire and utilities turned off

Rental Property Investor · Pearland, TX · Member since 2017 · 94 posts · 33 votes

I am renting a house that has a detached efficiency apartment in the back.  At first, the tenants in the house were using the apartment for their daughter.  She moved out, and they sublet it to someone else.  I did authorize a sublease in the main lease, but only with my written consent.  I never gave written consent, and no formal sublease was ever established.  

Now, the main house caught fire and fire department removed the main electrical meter until house is repaired and inspected.  The cause was an accidental electrical fire.  The electric supplies the house and apartment.  The main tenants are moving out, but the people in the back apartment refuse to leave.  I will be cutting off all services to the property to make repairs that will take atleast 6 months.  I understand the normal eviction process, but what other means do I have to get the squatters out?  I have researched a sample "Notice to vacate due to non livable conditions", but have not found anything.  Any help would be appreciated.  Property is located in Pearland, TX.

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  • Real Estate Broker · Rochester Hills, MI · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    You are doing the right thing.  You can also involve the city.  Talk to the building dept and/or health/safety and they can assist in court to get them out.  They may pay a visit to them but your best luck is going to be in court with the cities help.  

    You can ask, you can offer cash, other than that, you need the leverage the courts/city can offer.  

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