I have a two unit in Wisconsin and the the tenants are saying that there are mice and spiders in the apartment. Both said that they’ve been bitten by a spider. One of the tenant wanted to move and has no plans of paying the rent for July and this August. She’s using the spider bite as an alibi for not paying. She said she will be moving anyway by the time I get the case into court for her eviction.
What’s the best thing to do in this situation? I already sent a pest control guy in the apartments. Is this a good alibi to leave the apartment and break the lease?
Thanks to all!
Cowboy,
First things first! If you haven’t collected July rent yet - you’re really screwing up. Rents should be collected VERY early in the month and anyone failing to pay in full should be immediately evicted.
Tenants who don’t choose to pay the rent always have some excuse. No excuse is a valid reason for failing to pay rent!!! Many (most) tenants live like pigs. They don’t keep their apartments clean; they leave the doors and windows open; they leave uneaten food strewn about; etc. It is no wonder they have mice, roaches, spiders, etc.
What you need to do is immediately file an eviction for non-payment of rent. They may or may not move. If they move out; remove their stuff; and give you the keys, you can cancel the eviction if you so desire. If they don’t move, you’ll save more lost rent by filing the eviction immediately. Obviously, you are keeping their security deposit.
Next time - run a more professional business. If someone doesn’t pay the rent - EVICT THEM!
Mike
It’s the 5th of August…you should have collected the August rent by now, too in all likelihood…my rents are due on the 1st and late on the 5th.
Keith
Thanks to all who replied. Just wanted to know, what do you do with tenants who pay late and yet does not want to pay the late fee?
Is it grounds for eviction? How about a tenant who doesn’t clean his place?
I’m pretty new with landlording and I’d appreciate any response.
Thanks!
Cowboy,
There is no such thing in my world as paying the rent but not the late fee. My rents are due on the 1st; late if not received by 5pm on the 4th; I post an eviction notice (3 day notice) on their door on the 5th; and file the eviction action with the court on the 8th. I never accept partial rent and that includes the late fee. They either pay everything or they’re evicted. Receiving partial rent will jeopardize your eviction in court and will usually result in yet another month or two of lost rent and a second filing fee with the court.
If you ever intend to manage multiple properties, you must establish rules and stick with them. Tenants talk! If you allow one tenant to get away with something, they will all know it. On the other hand, if you promptly evict someone when they don’t pay the rent on time, the other tenants won’t test you. Tenants are a lot like three year olds!
Mike
Thanks propertymanager. You’ve given confidence to implement a very good system. I’m a new landlord and I’ve got other businesses too. I’ve been very lenient, I guess. So, it’s time to make things right.
Thanks again.