Another great article. I do have a random question for you and would appreciate an opinion.
I have an “at will” tenant age 40ish and has been diagnosed with MS. She is a single mom with 2 kids: one in college and the other is a junior in high school. She is collecting some disability and child support for the 2 kids. Rent is 1k per month and she pays for her own utilities. She has been with me for 3 years and has always paid the rent. Sometimes early but mostly a bit late. Today is the 21st and I just got $700.00 with promises of the rest on Monday and the rent for December is due in a week. I have toyed with the thought of severing the ties while I still can financially. However, I am not looking forward to losing a months rent and paying the heat bill in cold weather while I do a fluff & puff. The attorney fee to serve the papers will be around $500 which is another expense. I have not seen any illegal activity on site, but locals “in the know” advise that the rent money has been spent on nose candy. It is not factual information, but very reliable. What people do in their private life is of no concern to me, but it appears that her private life may be affecting the ability to pay the rent. Any thoughts on if she stays or should go? My gut feeling is that I should try to retain her thru the winter and sever ties in better weather.
George, I am a little torn on this one. I don't like to see anyone evictied during the winter. It makes you look like a cold hearted landlord. On the other hand, it is your asset. You need to protect it. Evicting your tenant now, could save you from more headaches down the road.
If the tenant is waisting rent money on drugs instead of rent you have a real problem. Drugs often become more important than living expesses. Check your lease to make sure you have legal grounds to evict. If you do, evict her.
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