Today I had the opportunity to continue my education in the exciting field of landlording. For the first time in 2 years of investing, I had an eviction go all the way to setout - meaning that the bailiff (police) had to be there as we physically put his stuff in the street. I would like to point out that this isn’t a tenant that I picked, but rather one that I inherited when we bought the building.
We went to court to discuss this wonderful tenant with the judge (magistrate) about 10 days ago. Unfortunately, the tenant wasn’t able to attend because he was in jail for beating up his shackup lady friend. He got out of jail the same day as the eviction proceeding, but didn’t start getting his stuff out of the apartment until 2 days ago. This gentleman is an unusually lazy citizen, so he didn’t get much of anything out. Yesterday, he called me at 7am and asked for another week to remove his stuff. Although I am a very easy going person and would really like to help, I declined. He was kind enough to point out that I was solely responsible for him now being homeless. Of course, I was nearly moved to tears. I gave him my sincere opinion that people who don’t pay their bills should be homeless! He then called the court and tried to arrange for another week, they also declined. Maybe the court is responsible for him being homeless. Whatever the case, I’m reasonable certain that his being a criminal and not paying his bills had nothing to do with it.
Anyway, at 9am this morning we started trashing out the place. The ex-tenant was there all day long causing problems, with the police running him off several times. At one point he was taking some of the stuff that we were putting on the street to one of our other tenant’s apartment. However, after I threatened to evict her too, she saw the light and wouldn’t accept any more of his stuff. After six hours of wallowing in knee deep trash, pills, hundreds of roaches, several mice, and pile upon pile of dog excrement, we finally had a pile 50 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 4 feet high. This included 45 of those large construction trash bags. We even ripped out all the carpet!
Shortly after we finished, the city showed up with a LARGE front end loader (probably about a 4 yard bucket). Within 20 minutes, all of our friend’s possessions were on the way to the dump. Tenant out, possessions removed, and locks changed - another glamorous day of investing and another chapter in my education!
You’re definitely right about the roaches and mice. I saw at least 5,000 roaches yesterday alone. What’s more, one of my female workers spent the whole day doing one of those River Dances (with the high steps). Who would think that a person trashing out a crack house would be afraid of a few mice??? Anyway, I spent a lot of time laughing, which made the day go quickly!
I will take your advice about the restraining order if the criminal comes back. However, the neighbors have had to put up with this scumbag for the past 5 years and they are just about fed up with the whole mess. Several of them came over to thank me yesterday as this was one of three crack houses on the block. I took over one of the others also and have already evicted one of the druggies there. The third crack house has been busted twice in the past couple of weeks and the activity has really dropped off. With a little work, I am confident that we can clean up the whole area. Most of the houses on the block are very nice with owner-occupants. Unfortunately, they’ve been terrorized for the past 5 years with crackers. Anyway, I’ve given them all my business card and they are watching my properties and calling me and the police when anything is amiss. We’re even going to start one of those neighborhood crime watches. So, I’ve got an entire neighborhoop helping me to clean up the buildings that we just purchased.
Sounds just like a story I have from a year ago (minus the front end loader). It’s a major reason I stopped landlording. That’s no way to make a living IMHO.
I just got back from Crack Town. It looks like the setout yesterday was the best publicity that I could possibly have gotten. The problem tenant next door to the evicted tenant was moving out when I arrived this morning - which will save another eviction. In addition, I’ve already had a couple of word of mouth inquiries from potential tenants as a direct result of all the buzz yesterday. Needless to say, all the tenants in both buildings on that block know that we’re serious about getting rid of the crack and getting our rent on time! Hooray!
As for refreshments, the next time we put on a big show, I think that we’ll SELL refreshments (and maybe pet mice). Always looking to make a buck you know. Maybe I’ll buy one of those concession trailers and do it right!
You are hysterical! What a lesson. May I ask what city or state you are in? I’m in Maryland, and very new to the investor game. A few years ago, I rented my 1st home, and lost it to a renter.
Lessons learned - don’t rent to friends of friends.
There’s no such thing as “'nice” because this business.
Protect your investments!
I’ve recovered from that mess, and just getting back in the flow - interested in property again, paid/paying off debts, and raising the old fico.
You did the right thing. You were / are brave, and rather professional, going about it the legal way.
I asked where you’re located because there are several properties I see in my town that I can’t wait to purchase and rent. I’m still leary about some neighborhoods, and about having rentals again, but I’m analyzing the rental gig vs. wholesaling.