Mold caused by tenants
We have squatters in our house. They are reporting mold issues after squatting the house due to covid for over a year. For the past year they lived they never reported anything to the extent that due to fear of eviction they are now reporting mold and the property is completely damaged. The cabinets are destroyed from how they lived, the bathroom vanity is destroyed. When they are now reporting the mold issue to us for the first time, clearly the damage doesn't look recent, the property hasnt been cared for long over 1 year at-least. We were not aware of condition inside as they are squatters living for free due to covid until they feared eviction coming up. The condition at the point they are reporting is very bad as all vanities and every single lower kitchen cabinet needs to be replaced.
Who would be responsible for this? House has a 70K damage with everything inside destroyed. They are reporting us but to be able to take care we need them to leave. Can we justify later the delay in fixing it after we evict them. Would we be asked why we didn't fix mold because its not even feasible to fix without taking 1/2 the house apart.
Wow. There are so many issues here.
First, let's get these people out. They are squatting and not paying rent. I'd offer them a substantial amount of money to leave. Maybe $5,000 in cash if they and their stuff are gone by next Friday. Then, I'd pursue eviction if they refuse. Give them a hard choice between getting sued and having an eviction on their record as squatters, or walking away from the squalor they created for themselves with $5,000 in cash (and maybe their security deposit back).
If this is not possible, and you are stuck with them for years, then I think it's time to ask an attorney what you need to do. You have to follow the law, and I know California is crazy, but it seems insane to me that a landlord is required to keep a property habitable for a squatter who is not paying rent, especially in a case like this. I'd do the absolute minimum to meet state law until they are gone, and then rehab the property. Hopefully that minimum is little to nothing, or involves doing work that you have to do anyways long-term that the tenant's can't undo by continuing to live in squalor once you clean it all up.
It sucks that there are people out there who are so bad to deal with that we are willing to just pay them thousands of dollars to leave our lives, but sometimes that is the reality in this business.
Quote from @Sam Abe:
We have squatters in our house. They are reporting mold issues after squatting the house due to covid for over a year. For the past year they lived they never reported anything to the extent that due to fear of eviction they are now reporting mold and the property is completely damaged. The cabinets are destroyed from how they lived, the bathroom vanity is destroyed. When they are now reporting the mold issue to us for the first time, clearly the damage doesn't look recent, the property hasnt been cared for long over 1 year at-least. We were not aware of condition inside as they are squatters living for free due to covid until they feared eviction coming up. The condition at the point they are reporting is very bad as all vanities and every single lower kitchen cabinet needs to be replaced.
Who would be responsible for this? House has a 70K damage with everything inside destroyed. They are reporting us but to be able to take care we need them to leave. Can we justify later the delay in fixing it after we evict them. Would we be asked why we didn't fix mold because its not even feasible to fix without taking 1/2 the house apart.
The tenants are responsible for this and you should act accordingly.
Do you have the damage documented? Have you sought an attorney? You need to find someone that specializes in evictions. I know they are available, even in California. A quick Google search turned up https://www.attorneydavid.com/... and they clearly specialize in Landlord-Tenant issues. Get the free consulation and see what they can do for you.
Odds are pretty good that you won't see a dime from the Tenants, but perhaps you can apply for State assistance based on the COVID restrictions? Again, local attorneys are your best option for getting the answers you need and moving forward. California is a tough nut to crack and you shouldn't play around trying to figure it out on your own.
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Quote from @Sam Abe:
We have squatters in our house. They are reporting mold issues after squatting the house due to covid for over a year. For the past year they lived they never reported anything to the extent that due to fear of eviction they are now reporting mold and the property is completely damaged. The cabinets are destroyed from how they lived, the bathroom vanity is destroyed. When they are now reporting the mold issue to us for the first time, clearly the damage doesn't look recent, the property hasnt been cared for long over 1 year at-least. We were not aware of condition inside as they are squatters living for free due to covid until they feared eviction coming up. The condition at the point they are reporting is very bad as all vanities and every single lower kitchen cabinet needs to be replaced.
Who would be responsible for this? House has a 70K damage with everything inside destroyed. They are reporting us but to be able to take care we need them to leave. Can we justify later the delay in fixing it after we evict them. Would we be asked why we didn't fix mold because its not even feasible to fix without taking 1/2 the house apart.
Not only do you need an attorney (Which I assume you have), you should also file an insurance claim on the property.
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#3 All Forums Contributor
- Contractor/Investor/Consultant
- West Valley Phoenix
Get them out. Fix up house. Sell. Invest in another state.