In-laws staying in house for 6 months unannounced

Cleveland, Ohio
Managing Your Property
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In-laws staying in house for 6 months unannounced

Michelle Tucker
Member since 2023 · 5 posts · 1 vote

I would love some advice- I discovered that a tenant in my duplex has had his parents staying in the apartment since August (5 months). The couple had a baby and had the parents there to help out. They will be leaving in January. I was not asked for permission to have them stay and in the lease it clearly states that there should be no additional guests. The water bill has increased dramatically which I have raised to the tenant. I am not sure how to handle this - the tenant moves out at the end of March - Any advice on what I should ask for in terms of additional compensation? I do not want to evict them but I feel that they have taken advantage of this situation.   I also understand that should anything have happened to them- that I would be potentially liable etc. Appreciate any thoughts- 

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James Wise
Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
2y
Quote from @Michelle Tucker:

I would love some advice- I discovered that a tenant in my duplex has had his parents staying in the apartment since August (5 months). The couple had a baby and had the parents there to help out. They will be leaving in January. I was not asked for permission to have them stay and in the lease it clearly states that there should be no additional guests. The water bill has increased dramatically which I have raised to the tenant. I am not sure how to handle this - the tenant moves out at the end of March - Any advice on what I should ask for in terms of additional compensation? I do not want to evict them but I feel that they have taken advantage of this situation.   I also understand that should anything have happened to them- that I would be potentially liable etc. Appreciate any thoughts- 

 Just move on. This is a non issue. Trying to evict them is probably the dumbest thing you can do. For starters, this is Cleveland, you aren't winning that case. Secondly, if you stood any chance in hell of winning (you don't) the cost and effort to evict them is way more than the additional water bills you paid. It's called "the cost of doing business."

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  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    2y

    At this point they are almost gone.  Hindsight is great, but when you saw the water bill go up, you should have asked them if there was a leak.  Have them pay the extra for the water bill...and if they complain (which I doubt) about the extra at Christmas, tell them too bad.  And give them a few weeks to pay.  Remind them there will be another bill for Dec and Jan extra usage.

    You said they are moving in March-is that for certain or only that their lease is up then?

    2Reply
  • James Wise
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Michelle Tucker:

    I would love some advice- I discovered that a tenant in my duplex has had his parents staying in the apartment since August (5 months). The couple had a baby and had the parents there to help out. They will be leaving in January. I was not asked for permission to have them stay and in the lease it clearly states that there should be no additional guests. The water bill has increased dramatically which I have raised to the tenant. I am not sure how to handle this - the tenant moves out at the end of March - Any advice on what I should ask for in terms of additional compensation? I do not want to evict them but I feel that they have taken advantage of this situation.   I also understand that should anything have happened to them- that I would be potentially liable etc. Appreciate any thoughts- 

     Just move on. This is a non issue. Trying to evict them is probably the dumbest thing you can do. For starters, this is Cleveland, you aren't winning that case. Secondly, if you stood any chance in hell of winning (you don't) the cost and effort to evict them is way more than the additional water bills you paid. It's called "the cost of doing business."

    4Reply
  • Michelle Tucker
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    2y

    Thank you- I just saw the bill which spurred me to ask about any leaks etc. They say the toilet is running so I will be checking this- The lease is up and they wanted to leave as they have 2 kids now and they said the place (2 bedroom) was too small- 

    As this constitutes a break in the lease - in your opinion have they sacrificed their deposit?   the lease states that they are responsible for 25 % of the water bill - its a duplex and the family in the 2nd unit is larger (or was...)  so I will ask for that but its not fair to the other family to be responsible for an increased bill - thanks for your input-

    0Reply
  • Scott TrenchPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    2y

    Has the tenant informed his wife of this? Perhaps if you let her know, the issue will be resolved...

    In all seriousness, it seems that all you've noticed is an increase in the water bill. If no other damages have occurred, I agree with the other posters. It might be best to simply let the lease expire and replace the tenants in March. Or just bake it into the lease they sign at renewal, if you choose to keep them and they've been otherwise good tenants, that they agree to no unauthorized adults living in the property (more than 2 week stay). 

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  • Michelle Tucker
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    2y

    Thanks @James Wise- I definitely would not evict them. Appreciate the insight-

    0Reply
  • Michelle Tucker
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    2y

    Thank you @Scott Trench- They have been good tenants- so will take the advice here- Appreciate all that you guys do- 

    0Reply
  • Vadim F.
    Investor · Member since 2020 · 337 posts · 213 votes
    2y

    Just move on, cost of doing business. They in-laws are leaving in January and tenants are moving out at end of lease. If they have been good tenants, and the property isn't damaged in any way, give them back the security deposit and move on with the turnover.

    0Reply
  • Michelle Tucker
    OP
    Member since 2023 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    2y

    thank you all -appreciate the pov shared. will definitely see the forest for the trees with this-

    0Reply
  • Dan H.Pro Member
    Investor · Poway, CA · Member since 2015 · 7k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    2y

    Our lease has a clause limiting the duration of guest stays in any year and spells out the additional rent for staying beyond that limit.

    However, if the tenant had a new child and their parents were coming to help with the transition, I would be reasonably accommodating.  6 months might push my desire to be accommodating, but for a good tenant I would let it slide.

    If I found out as late in the guest stay as you have, I would discuss the need for better communication and call it an opportunity to educate the tenant on my expectations.

    Good luck

    2Reply
  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    2y

    @Michelle Tucker  If you were doing the water bill by occupancy you may owe the tenants in the other unit. I would call it a day. You might split water by occupancy in the future. If they want to break the lease now follow your lease, they pay a penalty if that is in the lease. My guess is they won't leave until march anyway.

    0Reply
  • Jonathan R McLaughlin
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, Massachusetts (MA) · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y

    Replied 23 hours ago

    Thank you- I just saw the bill which spurred me to ask about any leaks etc. They say the toilet is running so I will be checking this- The lease is up and they wanted to leave as they have 2 kids now and they said the place (2 bedroom) was too small-

    Problem Solved!

    0Reply
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