I need opinions on a lanlord tenant issue?

Question

I rent out the upper half of my house. I have a couple renting from me. Recently it has come to my attention that they are using meth and possibly making it. I have been told that the male has a warrent out for his arrest, but cannot confirm if this is true. They are past due on the rent and I would like to get them out of there. If I file an eviction It could take a month and I would have to cover court costs and loss of rent of which I will probably never see. I dont like to call the police on people and am not sure if I can when I have no concrete proof. I also fear that the tenents may retaliate with violence or damage to property. They have closed all lines of communication by refusing to answer their door or phone. Any ideas or sugestions?

Answer 1

You have two choices and you've already identified both of them.
Go to court and get an eviction order, or call the police about a suspected meth lab that you believe renters have set up in your house. I'd recommend the police route, because if you don't say anything and they get busted, you could go down with them. At least if you report it and the police do nothing, you've absolved yourself of at least that part of the problem. If the police do nothing, you can still get the eviction order later. Whatever you do, this IS going to cost you some lost rental income at a minimum, and the longer you let it go on the worse it will become.

I'm sorry to say this is a lesson most landlords learn the hard way, and after one bad tenant they tend to do better background checks on all future tenants.

I know this probably isn't what you wanted to hear, but legally those are your two best options.

Something that has worked for me in the past with problem tenants, start the eviction process by putting a three day notice on the door, and then slide a letter in the mail slot telling them that you want them out, and you would rather avoid the court route if possible. Since going through court is likely to cost you some money and a lot of time, offer to PAY the tenants $100 and forgive any back rent if they voluntarily move out without causing any damage before the 3-day period expires. If not, you'll proceed with the court process. Often if people are that down and out, they'd rather have to $100 to support their drug habit and they'll leave voluntarily. Make sure you emphasize no damage to qualify. You'd be paying that money to start court proceedings regardless, and it gets them out of your hair faster.

Answer 2

Try calling with an anonymous tip. If you do this the police can start gathering evidence and possibly arrest your tenant with the warrant out for his arrest. You should also post a three day pay or quit notice on their door (your case might also allow you to post anunconditional quit notice), this might scare them into paying you some rent, then you can start the process of getting them out of there. If they are the kind of people to retaliate using violence against you won't do them any good because you could just throw them in jail for that, they would probably try to trash the place, but- having dealt with renters before- if they are the kind to trash the place it's probably already been damaged. You might want to call the sheriff and see if you can't have an officer to come by when it's time to evict in case they do try violence. Good luck, and there's a fairly good resource on eviction on Wikipedia.

Answer 3

If you suspect meth use and making of meth, of which the fumes can be deadly, not to mention cause an explosion, you should contact the police ASAP.
The longer you wait to evict these people, the more costs you will get, instead of one month behind on rent, it will be 2 then 3.. and so on. Evict them, put into the eviction the amount owed, any damages that you know of, and the cost of court fees. You may never get the money, but a judgment will be entered on your behalf. If they work, garnish their wages, or just say forget it and be happy they are gone.
Don't be a fool, get them out, don't make your losses greater.

Answer 4

I would not recommend this, but as the land lord you could inspect their apartment without notice. If you want to know if they are really making meth it would be impossible to hide such an operation in a hurry.

The best course of action is to either check with the police about the possible wart on the male and/or start normal eviction process. Unfortunately these days it seems like tenants have more rights than the actual property owners.

Answer 5

First never rent without a lease that gives you the right to boot them out immediately for just such an occasion. In Texas you can send them a letter return receipt or post it on the inside of their door or have them sign and date a copy for you telling them that you intend to lock them out for non payment of rent and other fees. Then you lock them out. You have to let them in to get their clothes or food. If you will have problems, invite the police to be present. this sets you up here for a quick eviction. You need to see if you can do that in your state. And here you can evict much faster than I thought possible and the sheriff will come after the process and put their stuff out on the front lawn. How convenient if they have a meth lab. Never accuse anyone of anything you have no proof of. And when you do accuse someone you can count on retaliation. I got a lot of information by talking to managers of big apartment buildings. They let me look at the Texas Apartment Association book. It has a form for each letter and lots and lots of idea about how to protect yourself. They also offer the lease from hell. I would just drop in a couple of apartment offices and if they are not too busy start chatting. Most will help you out. They've been there and have seen it all. A lease should also state that you have the right to enter their apartment at any time. You can go on about making repairs etc but you want them to agree to that so that if you think they are breaking the lease for any reason you have the legal right to enter. If you are afraid, call the police and ask them to accompany you. When they refuse to talk to you, they are getting ready to jam you for the rent anyway and those that do that will mess up your place anyway so do it now, not at their convenience. Much luck.

Answer 6

Tenant rules do no longer conceal you as that's a trip enable no longer a tenant hire. What you probably did replaced into fraud - that doesn't exempt you from paying back the wear and tear. So the uninvited centred visitor perspective makes no distinction to you having to pay. There could have been words and stipulations once you payed the money over the internet and signup as your mom. you in basic terms did no longer examine them maximum probable. trip we could - the valuables must be interior an identical difficulty once you depart to once you arrive - if every physique damages the valuables except they broke in (broke the door etc) then you definately could pay the damages. insurance does not play a think approximately this (even though it ought to have if this replaced right into a protracted term apartment with a hire) - you do could pay the fees. Given you probably did no longer make a police record (and there is frequently a 24 hour decrease to once you're able to try this) insurance won't pay - it comes out as you having finished the wear and tear and the settlement you ticked off (signatures on records is so Nineteen Nineties - digital "ticks" are all it relatively is needed) potential you will pay it and insurance won't. Sorry - yet you have learnt a lesson - the only stable information is on the grounds that your mothers call replaced into on the reserving SHE is the guy who legally has to pay - yet then you definately would be charged with fraud - your decision.

Answer 7

do nothing, and buy more rental property, i will rent from you and in the lease in exchange for rent I will purchase an insurance policy to cover any damage i may do. your question has 8 lines and basically states. they are past due on rent. please do not spend 500 dollars for evictions costs so you can charge somebody else 800 dollars for rent next month...that just makes no sense

Answer 8

if it a legal rental with papers and all you should be clear of leagl issues involved with the meth... but you may be able to get money for the warrent. check your local police warrent data base on line if avaliable and see if he's on it. if so cash in... if not its just a b.s. warrent. but call the cops if they use meth to at least protect yourself... cause if the cops come on there own you may be short

Answer 9

You sound like you have a problem. I would suggest that you reporet your 'problem' to the police. If you have the two full names of the occupants, they can do a name search.

If the male has a warrant for his arrest, you won't have to worry, he'll be gone---and so will she.

If not, and your suspicions are correct, the police have their ways of finding out what's going on.

They won't retaliate, they'll be GONE!

Answer 10

The best solution is always a third party solution. Get hold of a mediator, and get him to speak to your tenants. The mediator should not be your relative or friend, but a third party who you should pay for his work.