I own a house in Indiana. I live in Wisconsin. I had a house on the market but cause the market is bad I decided to rent it. Found a renter. Made a trip with my wife to get all our furniture out and clean up (500-600$) to get ready for the tenant to move in. He met us at the house to make sure it was what he wanted. He said yeah lets do it. The next week he signs a year lease with security deposit and first months rent check.
He gets to the house and for whatever reason calls us up and says that the house is a mess and doesnt know if he wants to do this. Cause its so messy. I said you were there last week it was clean what are you talking about. So I have my neighbor go over and meet him to take pictures of what he is complaining about. She sent pics of some very minor things like things on the stove under the electric coils that weren't like polished metal. Really ridiculous stuff. So obviously he just wants to get out of the lease. Should I just let him leave the deal?
2007-10-02 16:43:04 · 10 answers · asked by lightlytread 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
You cant sue... You can hold the security bond and the months rent but that would be it.
Askk him outright if you fix these things does he want to stay. Some people just want everything to be perfect. If he does want to stay maybe you should just get the items fixed.
2007-10-02 18:19:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was going to say get a lawyer, but I see you are already doing that. I agree with you on not moving in. Let him try to sue, and if you can get a record of all the people that he has sued then that would help you if he tried to sue you. A judge may look at his record and realize he is just after money and not being a landlord. I could understand the landlord charging you a late fee and maybe a bounced check fee, but he should not be able to change a contract, especially once one has been signed. I would also turn this person in to the BBB. There also may be some other land or renting control agency in your area that you can talk to.
2016-04-07 01:26:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how it works in Indiana; it depends on the contract. That is annoying, but unfortunately it will probably cost you more to sue than is really worth it.
Don't worry about the money you spent on the trip, because you would have had to do all that no matter what tenant you get. I'd recommend a professional house cleaning anyway. You'll attract cleaner tenants with better credit history.
2007-10-02 16:55:06 · answer #3 · answered by Jackie M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let the tenant go. Its ringing a bell of problems. You dont want to deal with that in the future when he is in the house and the law cover him. He can go for months without paying the rent before he moves out. Never mind the court expenses. Better now, than later. You will find a better tenant.
2007-10-02 16:54:07 · answer #4 · answered by Karen 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It might be a better investment for you to buy a new stove and put it in there. Suing a tenant is an expensive process. Ask him what he wants, if it sounds reasonable (like something you would expect in your place of residence) then just do it. Do you want to get stuck with the mortgage payment??? Can you rent it quickly to someone else?
2007-10-03 00:11:00 · answer #5 · answered by Shawna Marie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am in California and do not know your state laws regarding rental property. i would contact a real estate attorney for accurate information. i assume that if tenant signed a lease, the tenant would be liable for the years rent and you can collect that money for the year. then you should return the deposit after the year. check your local renting laws good luck
2007-10-02 19:00:55 · answer #6 · answered by walterknowsall 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, you're probably within your rights to hold him to the lease. Practically, it might be best to let him walk away provided you can afford to do so.
When I have situations like this, the tenant pays rent until I find his replacement - then he gets to walk after another qualified tenant takes possession and begins paying rent. If you use this strategy, you get rent to which you're entitled - and the tenant is motivated to help you find his replacement, including keeping the house presentable.
Good luck!
2007-10-02 17:50:31 · answer #7 · answered by njc_flhtc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is hard but you may be able to take him to court but I don't think you will get much in return. Look up your laws under small claims court in your state.
NOTE: DO NOT HOLD SECURITY DEPOSIT FOR MORE THAN 21 days...or they can sue you 3x's the limit.
2007-10-02 23:50:37 · answer #8 · answered by Calisofie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd probably reject a place with a dirty stove. Nothing is more gross than food residue left behind. I'm getting ill just thinking about it.
2007-10-02 16:48:46 · answer #9 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would.
2007-10-02 16:50:42 · answer #10 · answered by James Watkin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋