|
|
Post by ohblondie on Jun 23, 2015 13:48:54 GMT -5
The title of this is "But I am not hurting anybody" and it is a great thread - a great read. A subtitle could be "What this is costing others"
We finally evicted the upstairs tenant for non payment of rent. she left a mess behind. WHile I do understand and would advocate for many people on this board who have moved and left a mess behind...I understand your situtaions might be a little different.
She left furniture and her kids clothing behind. She left food in a pot on the sink and dirty dishes. The law says I have to hold on the everything for 30 days. This woman is vindictive and would complan that I ruined something or threw a precious belonging out.
She would also be the first to go to the county and ask for a furniture voucher for new furniture, claiming I would not give it to her or that I ruined it.
It will cost me $600 to have "1-800 Got Junk" to remove everything after 60 days. FOr a large apartment complex - that fee is nothing. For me- who will not have income for two months and who has scrapped together eveything to pay for the remodel - this is everything. there are papes and trash all over and covering almost the entire floor.
Not only is there junk and trash left behind - she or her kids kicked in every door, broke a significant number of windows and screens, left holes in the wall, etc.
Yes - we have taken pictures and yes we could file charges. But it won;t get anywhere. We have to bear the cost of this.
Her and her mother, being dirty, has cost me hundreds of dollars. Now it is getting pushed into the thousands.
"How is this hurting anyone" might just bankrupt me.
|
|
|
|
Post by dayeanu on Jun 23, 2015 17:24:37 GMT -5
I am so sorry she intentionally and deliberately did that to hurt you.
|
|
|
|
Post by moggyfan on Jun 23, 2015 18:14:48 GMT -5
We finally evicted the upstairs tenant for non payment of rent. she left a mess behind. WHile I do understand and would advocate for many people on this board who have moved and left a mess behind...I understand your situtaions might be a little different.Or maybe not. I wouldn't be surprised if many of our landlords would say the same about us, no matter how we might try to justify leaving a giant mess/damage for others to clean up and pay for. I think we make excuses for ourselves because we have a "problem" & sometimes don't hold ourselves accountable for the inconvenience and expense we cause others. I think this thread was started to raise our consciousness about our own behavior in this regard. Who knows what problems or demons your former tenant faced? Truth is, it doesn't really matter because nothing changes the fact that you are the one unfairly burdened with the expense of repairs and cleaning, and the loss of rental income. I guess what I am trying to say in this long-winded way is: That woman's behavior is no more or less blameworthy than what anyone here might have done. |
|
|
|
Post by mynicehome on Jun 23, 2015 23:33:52 GMT -5
I'm so sorry to read about your tenants ohblondie. It is a different story than the tenants, the two sides of the coin. Hearing you reminds us that other l.l.'s can be just as discouraged, betrayed and financially burdened when their squalorer departs with filth and expenses. It's good to hear from both sides.
I think all tenants should do their best to leave the property of another in reasonable shape, but I understand also where certain circumstances might make that not happen.
I imagine it's tough for you blondie, because you are so aware of both sides. But I think you can allow yourself some natural anger and hurt nevertheless.
Hugs to you. |
|
|
|
Post by larataylor on Jun 24, 2015 0:15:46 GMT -5
This is a good list. People who own their homes need to keep all this stuff in mind, too. A while back I wrote a little paper containing many of these points, hoping to persuade DH that keeping a house uncluttered, clean, and maintained is the more rational choice -- not just a whimsical preference, a sick compulsion, or a way to make messy people feel bad. It just made him angry.  This list says nothing about the effects of clutter and hoarding on the people who live with you. But that's a huge issue, too. |
|
|
|
Post by ohblondie on Jun 24, 2015 7:36:33 GMT -5
mynicehome.thanks for your words of support. At times I am so conflicted. I just wanted to point out htat sometimes we do hurt people - nice people - even if it is not on purpose. But this is how I have worked it out in my head. I would never purposely damage any place where I lived - whether I owned it or rented it. Kicking in doors and breaking windows and screens and putting holes in walls and scratching your names in the wooden doors could be construed as vandalism. THat is flat out not acceptable in my book. I can handle the trash that she left behind. I understand that and I get that. All that will take is a couple of boxes of contractors bags and a few hours. Every week I can go over and bag stuff up and put it out for the weekly trash pickup. she left food in a pot on the stove and on dishes around the apt. I will not wash those and box them up. I will hold them for the required time, then toss. I spoke to her county assistance worker and let her know that I will be holding the furniture and clothing she left behind. I wanted the worker to know up front so that my tenant did not go to the worker and tell her a story that I would not release her furniture and that she needed the county to buy her new furniture. I am taking pictures...I am so excited as to how the apartment will look after we get it fixed up. Several people have approached me asking if it is vacant yet or ready to rent yet. So I know it is a decent apt in a decent part of town. My poor credit cards- the ones I just paid off - will be taking a beating!
|
|
|
|
Post by larataylor on Jun 24, 2015 8:33:54 GMT -5
ohblondie - I agree that deliberate destruction is over the line. Lots of people have problems that hurt other people in one way or another. I guess if it really didn't hurt anyone, it wouldn't be a problem. What I can't accept is not acknowledging that it's a problem and making some attempt to overcome it. Refusing help and telling the person that you're hurting that they're crazy. If you live alone, own your property, and don't have close neighbors, then maybe you can argue that you're not hurting anyone else.
|
|
|
|
Post by ohblondie on Jun 24, 2015 9:12:20 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by mynicehome on Jun 24, 2015 9:25:13 GMT -5
Vandalism is a different affront, for sure ohblondie. I hope you did get a damage deposit when the tenant moved in.
Sounds like you won't have a problem renting the premises once it's back in order.
I'm glad I own my own home, such as it is. I did read through the list given on the first post and I'm okay in all those areas. DS and I are physically safe at least. |
|
|
|
Post by ohblondie on Jun 24, 2015 9:42:42 GMT -5
mynicehome...my deposit will cover maybe the paint or two new doors. I hope it rents quickly and that we get decent tenants. I am headed over there at lunch time to check it out.
|
|
|
|
Post by Emma on Jun 25, 2015 15:17:04 GMT -5
This list is especially good for me to read again, and yet again.
|
|
