All Forum Posts by: Tracie Van

Thank you all for the replies. Lesson learned that is for sure. 
I was able to move her belongings to storage with her assistance and approval. She also accepted the low income apartment. There is still of course the money owed, which I highly doubt I will ever recoup. Even with a court judgement. 

(Location Northern WI)

Niece has been renting from me for a few years. My my sister, (the niece that I am having the issue with) her other daughter and her granddaughter, (the niece that I am having the issue with) live in the duplex. 
The niece I am having the issue with stopped paying rent in September of 2024. She was having mental health issues. I tried to be patient hoping she got help. Things took a turn for the worse 3 weeks ago (March) when she went on a rampage. Was walking around with a hammer yelling at her sister to give her car keys back, broke out her own car window resulting in stitches, broke our the window of the garage mandoor, and then forcefully backed up in the garage knocking the supports out on one side and damaging the garage door. About $1,000K in damages easily. 

After getting a felony eluding officers and fleeing to another state, myself and her sister were able to obtain a court order to have her brought to a hospital for evaluation. She has been in a mental health facility since then and it appears she is not getting out anytime soon.

NOW, prior to that incident, she was moving out the end of March and had a low income apartment lined up. I sent her move out instructions so she understood what was expected. 

I have a new tenant moving in April 1st, new flooring scheduled for April 15th-16th. 

My niece has told her mom numerous times to have me move all her stuff into storage. 

She had a bad day in court today and is angry and threatening to sue everyone. She didn't say  anything like "don't move my stuff!'

She currently owes: $5,475.29 plus damages to the garage 

What can I do to protect myself in this situation in the event it gets very ugly? I really just want to go forward as planned with her moving. I don't mind moving her things and putting in storage. I even have an open storage unit. 

@Nathan Gesner

Thank you for the great advice!

Just an update. After almost a year I finally got my cluster box approved. 

Writing this from WI.

I have a tenant who told me their DR says they should get a pet. She wants a cat. We've had the WORST luck with cats and damage. Spraying and/or urinating outside the litter box. Two units were so bad that we had no choice but to scrub, treat and put a sealer down over the concrete flooring to get rid of the smell before laying new carpet. Since then, we don't allow cats. 

I know I can't charge an extra rent fee or security deposit but, can I amend the damages section of the lease to include damages caused by pets? Specifically damages to the flooring stating that they would be responsible for the costs of replacing carpet and any treatments necessary to remove odors should the pet urinate/damage the flooring? 

So upset that we have to be forced to allow this. I totally support Service Animals because they are needed and trained but not ESA's because of its rampant abuse. 

 Thank you! I wound up brining a hard copy to her.

I served a tenant a 30 day notice of non-renewal after her lease ended. She asked for an extension of 30 days, this would be 60 days notice. I am actually okay with this, as the rental market is very tough. But of course, I do not want this to extend past 60 days. 

My question is, I served the original notice via certified mail as required. Do I need to send the extension certified mail as well? She would need to sign and return the extension to me.

Update. Finally got to speak with the postmaster today. I am being blamed because I didn't "get it in writing". I asked how am I supposed to know I would need to get it in writing? I Also said had I know that a dishonest employee would mislead me and falsely represent themselves as someone who could approve it then yeah, I would have asked for it in writing. I had zero reason to believe something like this would happen. Its small rural area. 

Postmaster claims his supervisor will call me but wouldn't give me his number. Said that no mail will be delivered to the clusterbox. 

Oh! And he said the carrier is the one who placed the flag and chose the location of the clusterbox. To me, it sounds like the post master has the issue of how to manage his employees. 

I am so upset over all of this. 

 Thank you, I will try this. 
We have contracted rural route carriers here. Not sure if that is making a difference in cost, or, the guy is just lying. 

 It's funny you mention it! My husband went there before noon. Of course, the post master was not available.