Tenants being difficult - eviction questions

[Joel Owens]

Okay bought a building.Some tenants are paying and some are trying a ploy.

They are saying the building needs repairs so they won't pay rent.

Questions:

1.Do I have to be at the eviction hearing or can my PM be??

2.Will a judge let them stay based on repairs seeing as we just bought the place?

3.1 section 8 tenant has a 615 voucher and 85 utility bill they pay us monthly.They said they don't have the 85 but my understanding is they would lose their section 8 status if they default on a provision in the lease.

I wouldn't mind getting them out anyways as their voucher is low and was put in place by the previous landlord.

Thanks

[James Martin]

For the future, I would find a good civil lawyer that knows landlord and tenants rights. For most of the problems we have, our lawyer takes care of everything without us having to appear in court. Your PM can go to the eviction hearing. It depends on what the judge coffee was like that morning, according to your lease agreement they have to pay rent but can take you to court and try to sue for some of their rent. I would say that it will not hold up because you have not had enough time to address all of your tenants problems being the new owner. Now making them pay is another can of worms, they would be my example for all the others who don't want to pay. Get a good team now that knows the legal system and save yourself time and money. My lawyer knows exactly what to say to the judge to get them out quickly vs me talking to the judge, they may be there another 30 days.