All Forum Posts by: Joy James

The tenant whom I filed an eviction last week, filed an answer. She said she was in an abusive relationship and her partner didn’t let her work or go out of the house until he was incarcerated for kidnapping and assault. This happened late November. In The first week of December, she told me that she’s applying for rent assistance from Project Hope but I never received or heard from that charity.

Since then she has found a new job on the 2nd week of December but has not paid a full month’s rent. She sent in $30 and $125 which I told her would be credited to October back rent. She has $0 credit for November, December and January rents. She said she has been trying to pay but what i got was these $30 and $125. I am afraid that her sob story will win the sympathy of the judge... any advice on how I should prepare for the court date? What should I anticipate? Will i get her to move out so that I can find a paying tenant? I have a mortgage, insurance and taxes that i pay monthly for that property. Thanks in advanced.... if you don’t have anything positive to share in this problem and have only snarky remarks, please keep them to yourself. This is a community of people who want to help others and not put them down. I appreciate it.

UPDATE: Thank you all for your advise and constructive criticism....Since the Rent Moratorium has been lifted here in GA and the county where my property is located did not choose to extend, I filed for eviction last Wednesday. I consulted with a lawyer. So I am waiting for her to respond in 7 days (pay what she owes) or wait 14 days for a court date. I am hoping that this issue can be settled ASAP.

Happy 2021 everyone!

@Steve Vaughan i found the fair market value on qpublic and owner sent me the appraisal report....

@Steve K.will an agent charge $ for doing a little research? Seller had the lot appraised last may 2019 and he gave me the report. In that case, I wonder if i offer in the middle of its market value of 41k and appraised value if 71k.... what do you think?

@David Lee Hall, III yes agree, we will have to close in a lawyer’s place....

@Sai T.thank you! I will be using the same closing attorney that we have known for years.

Any pitfalls? Any advise?

@L. Pritchard, I have evicted 2 tenants in the past for default in payments. I inherited  them from previous landlord and it was just an awful situation.

I know how to evict tenants, it’s pretty self explanatory. But with the moratorium, I am not sure when to start the process... now or wait until after dec 31? Thanks for your advise!

@Kyle J.

Thanks for your insight. In the state of Georgia, I found that rent moratorium expires on December 31,2020 unless it gets extended. I have spoken to tenants and they said they can’t stay afloat due to unemployment... 

Its against my core values to evict people who need a roof over their head when they are already struggling just to put food on the table. Plus they have kids. So I asked them for a letter that provides detailed information on the dates that they lost their jobs. So far, no luck getting that letter yet.

Thanks! That’s good to know , thanks!