How to prepare for a landlord complaint hearing

Question

Well it finally happened. I have acquired multiple rentals over the past 4 years and have had a pretty good run with the initial tenants I have put in my properties.

Except now.

One of my tenants, a young couple started out great but got rocky over the past year or so. Late all the time, story after story, always lying about when the rent would come, piecing it together every month. So, I decided when their lease expires in August I would terminate it and get some better tenants.

Before I notified them, the wife called me and said hubby left her, took all her stuff and all her money and pleaded with me to be flexible. Given her past of dishonesty and inability to pay on time even before they split, I decided to inform her that the lease would be terminating at the end of August (this conversation was in June) as I had originally planned to do.

Since then, shocker, I haven't seen a dime. So we have July and August due and she is to be out by 8/31.

She is ignoring me. So I filed a landlord complaint and have a hearing set for next week. I have not had experience with this before so any tips on how to prepare for this hearing or what to being would be much appreciated.

Karl B. · Answer

I've done a few and have another on Friday. I enjoy them as the preparation is fun and I like to see the law in motion.

Paperwork I typically bring:

-Lease

-Text messages (screenshot them and insert them into a Word doc)

-Photos/video for proof, if applicable (damage, violations, etc.)

-Have a summary page with facts/numbers to refer to so you can easily present your case to the judge

Theresa Harris · Answer

Prepare your documentation and stick to the facts.  If she stopped paying rent, you should have started the eviction at that point.

Have you gone by the property to make sure she's still living there?

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Have clear documentation of everything. Print off all communications with her. Have the ledger showing charges and payments. He who documents, wins.

I also recommend you drive by the property on occasions to see if she's even there. Most tenants will disappear before the court hearing because they know they have no defense. If she moves out - even if she doesn't communicate with you - document that she's left, change the locks, cancel the court hearing, and move on.

Peter Tverdov · Answer

As a property management company, we ALWAYS have our attorney handle this stuff. That is their job and it makes us very confident.

How to prepare for a landlord complaint hearing

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