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Updated over 7 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

67
Posts
18
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Alex T.
  • Investor
  • Newton, MA
18
Votes |
67
Posts

Evicting a tenant right after buying the house

Alex T.
  • Investor
  • Newton, MA
Posted

I just purchased a triplex in Dorchester with 2 tenants in it. One of the tenants reached out to me, and what started as a friendly conversation quickly escalated out of control. The tenant first mentioned issues she reported with the unit to the previous landlord, I wrote them down and said I'd take care of them (mostly small pest control problems). As conversation continued, the tenant's aggression towards previous landlord quickly turned into aggression towards me.

I was accused of not reaching out to the tenant to speak to her prior to the purchase (without having any contact info for her), of not being aware of the minor problems she just told me about in the property I owned for all of 3 days, and then of not sympathizing enough with her situation of being a single mother (why she even brought this up is beyond me). I thanked her for the info and said I would see what I can do, trying to avoid confrontation.

She then mentioned that the building has a long history of city violations (all reported by her), and that it's her right to report all of them because I should be grateful that Section 8 is paying me (below market) for her to live there (she pays nothing). She then claimed that she is studying for a law degree and therefore knows her rights. She also mentioned that she hates the neighborhood and wants to move, immediately following up with "but you would have to pay me to move" (she is clearly aware of the concept of cash-for-keys since she brought it up without me asking). She also refused to provide the contact info for her case worker until I give her my email (even though she has been texting me everything else). I'm not sure why she needs my email, but I'm no longer comfortable with her having it.

The conversation made it clear that this is not a tenant I'm interested in keeping. She has entitlement mentality, victim mentality, and a host of other issues. Moreover, her obsession with local laws and abusing them is not something I want to deal with. Today I talked to her case worker (got his contact info from Boston Housing directly) and he mentioned that I'm allowed to serve her with a 30-day notice to quit immediately because I'm a new landlord. I'm confused how this is different from the regular 30-day notice to quit that any landlord can serve? Does being a new landlord of the building give me more rights when getting old tenants out? Can I get her out quickly?

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

100
Posts
54
Votes
Richard Beatty
  • Boston, MA
54
Votes |
100
Posts
Richard Beatty
  • Boston, MA
Replied

 Congratulations Welcome to the Dorchester Area! What does the lease say?Is she currently on a month to month lease? If she is M2M serve her immediately. Try to get her out as quickly as possible before the winter months. I have a great guy who handles pest for a great price. Let  me know if you are interested

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