All Forum Posts by: Jeff Willis

Absent a court order, I would try 'cash for keys.' If that doesn't work, you are stuck. In CA, several cities have placed a prohibition on all evictions.

Sounds like maintenance items NOT improvements. Providing maintenance is not normally the basis for a rental increase.

No way! Very bad idea for many reasons including privacy.

What drugs? All you have said is Marijuana and 'vape" products are not drugs. Recreational use of Marijuana in CT is legal https://www.visitconnecticut.c...

I would look at other clauses in your lease such a 'anti-smoking' in or on the premises.

You got scammed - If it too good to be true .....

https://www.avail.co/education/guides/a-tenants-guide-to-finding-an-apartment/how-to-spot-a-rental-scam

https://www.trulia.com/guides/how-to-spot-a-rental-scam/

Well, neither of your examples are location specific.  As an example, sellyourhousefast.com vs sellyouhouse-fayetville.com

Take a look at this Google SCO Guide

I deal with this all the time.

The re-rent clause is most likely illegal in most sates.  Technically the tenant is liable for the rent from the time they leave until the house is rented again or until the lease expired, whichever is shorter. You have a duty to mitigate your damages, which means you MUST make all reasonable efforts to re-rent the house as soon as possible.

I usually don't worry about the early termination and just try to re-rent. My logic is simple, I will have to re-rent it when the lease expires or re-rent it now and it will usually take the same effort to do it either way.

To recover losses for the early termination will usual require a lawsuit (maybe small claims depending on the amount) and it is not worth the time and effort. Even if you get a judgement, you still have to collect.

I agree with @Adrien C. Check your local building department at to the legality of converting a basement into a living area. If it is allowable, there are very strict standards and make sure you get a permit.

Any eviction process you take will cost you time and money. I would first try to offer him some cash if he moves out, takes everything and signs a release. You are going to spend it anyway, so by paying him will expedite the process.

I would be very careful about any action based on an arrest. All the comments are great and it depends on the circumstances, but innocent until proven guilty. Assume for a minute that you evict them and the person is found not guilty, the charges are dropped, or they are exonerated, then what was your basis for eviction? You would have a hard time explaining that to a judge. 

If they remain in jail for an extended period of time, then you are better off evicting for failure to pay rent.

Unless the charges are serious enough that they impact the safety and security of your other tenants or your buildings, I would not even worry about it.