All Forum Posts by: Michael Gefvert

Does your lease have any language that deals with showings for prospective tenants?

The first thing I would consider before suing a former tenant is what is the likelihood that I can get the tenant to pay a judgment against them if I win?  Are you prepared to investigate where your tenant works and/or holds bank accounts so you can start a garnishment?  Do you know how that process works in your jurisdiction or will you have to hire someone else to do it for you?  Beyond that, your tenant is somewhat correct on the issue of carpeting, the most you could expect to recover would be the depreciated value based on the expected life of the carpet.

Factor the cost of removing the nonpaying tenant and any associated carrying costs into the purchase price

I was talking earlier this week with a Columbus area realtor about the feasibility of starting a new property management company in Columbus.  May I ask what has you most frustrated with the companies that you have used in the past?

You already have a contract with your tenant and he isn't living up to it, having him sign another one is likely a waste of time.  I would post the three day notice at this point (especially considering this question is now a month old).  Ray's advice of having your tenant sign a pre-dated move-out notice and then changing the locks could result in an expensive lawsuit as an illegal self-help eviction.