Would like input on this eviction in California

[Christine I.]

Deadbeat tenant who lived with his mother. The mother passed due to Covid and that was the last rent that I saw for that unit. He did apply for the California Covid rental relief and I did get money to bring him up to date. As soon as I could file for eviction I did. He requested a trial which is set for July 5, 2022. His only defense is Covid-related which is no longer valid so pretty sure he will lose and it takes about 2 weeks for a lock-out date. That means he will be out mid-late July. At this time he owes $3000. He has contacted an attorney who has offered me a deal. Deadbeat tenant will be out June 24. Leave the place broom clean for what that's worth. He gets a free pass as I will not be able to send him to collections (probably no money anyway, not sure if he is working) and no record of an eviction. I hate the thought that he will move on to the next landlord and repeat. Obviously the advantage is I will have possession of the apartment a lot sooner if I agree. Would you accept this deal?

[Cameron Pendergraft]

If the deal is that straight forward, I would get it in writing and then accept. One item I could see and be concerned of is that this is just a ploy to have you drop the eviction case and have to get it moving again once 6/24 comes and goes and he is still in the unit. I wouldn't cancel that until the unit is vacant and the locks have been changed. In terms of getting over on the next landlord by not having a record, they should be able to sniff something out if they are underwriting their tenants as they should, it's not your problem. It sounds like the tenant was able to pull this off with you for so long only because you had originally underwrote his mother and not him.