Tenant’s son has parked about 6 huge motorcycles in garage

[Jane S.]

I just saw my rental’s single garage stuffed with about 6 motorcycles in various states of repair. OMG! The tenant did NOT indicate these “toys” on his rental app, and the lease states “tenant agrees  not to store and/or park any trailer, camper, boat, or any similar recreational vehicle on the Premises or on (Street).  Tenants are not allowed to store any ‘dead’ vehicles on Premises or on (street).”

There is also a “dead” pickup truck parked in the driveway that his mother says “will be picked up” by his father but I didn't get a date when it would be gone. Its engine is sitting on the garage floor. It’s very much a junker.

So do I have a shade tree mechanic? A hoarder of anything that looks like it could be driven? Their lease says any hoarding must be removed within 5 days.

The fact that he didn't admit to owning all these “recreational vehicles” on his application could be cause for eviction. His mother completed his rental app because she said I could never read his writing. He has had most of the cycles for a while, there is thick dust on one of the leather seats so she knew about them.

I don't want to evict them but what should I do? The mother is a Mrs Clean and is taking care of her half of the house wonderfully. But the son lives in the finished lower level and the carpets are already needing professional cleaning. he has used every wall and ceiling area for flags,posters, giant signs etc and has a snack area with a microwave and all kinds of open food items that could attract rodents and insects. Altho I didn't see any.

Their lease expires Sept 30 this year. She pays on time and is taking good care of the yard. She said her son wants to stay there 2 more years. 

Can I ask him to rent an off-site space for his hobby? I couldn't see enough of the concrete floor of the garage to determine whether its damaged. It was built in the mid 60s and I’m sure the architect didn’t plan to have all this weight sitting on the concrete … or the driveway.

Never dreamed I would encounter such a situation.

BUT glad I know about it. Seems like a pretty flagrant abuse of their lease.

[Jaron Walling]

As a motorcyclist myself I can assure you he has plans for the motorcycles. They're probably bikes from the mid 90's to early 2000's and you'd be shocked what some of those bikes are worth. Unless the bikes are scattered around the yard I don't think you have grounds for eviction. Can you pursue it? ABSOLUTELY. Is it worth it? That's up to you as an investor. Motorcycles are not heavy enough to damage concrete. My dad has had bikes sitting in his garage for years. 

Personally unless he is smashing holes in the walls, tearing up the yard, or annoying neighbors with loud exhaust pipes I'd let him stay. The mother is on your side clearly and wants to help get rid of the junked truck. I'd focus on that battle, get the truck gone, and see what happens. I wouldn't ruffle all the feathers if the tenants are friendly, communicate well, and pay rent on time.