Best way to recover lost funds after eviction?

[Edilson Gomes]

Hi all, 

I started an eviction process in September using a lawyer and I finally got the inherited tenants out last week. I knew they would try to make the process as complicated as they could and take advantage of MA laws and that’s exactly what they did. At the end I got even more screwed than I thought and trying to see the best way to recoup some of the loss. 

Long story short, they stopped paying rent since I issued the eviction and in mediation I was issued a money judgment of approximately $4200 against them. They moved out but didn’t tell me anything and left all their old stuff behind. I had to use an execution to move their stuff out of the apartment and now just received a $2500 bill from the moving company to legally move their junk (literally) to the storage and 3 months storage fee. On top of all of this, I still have to pay the attorney for the eviction process and the constable’s fee. I’m a relative new property owner and this is the first time dealing with this very frustrating process so looking for some advice.

What would be the best way to try to recoup some of the expenses? 
Should I continue to use the attorney and will the process of trying to collect the money cost me more than it will be worth? 
They were supposed to leave the apartment in “broom swept” condition and didn’t. Can I sue them for the moving expenses? 

Would appreciate any and all advice on how to proceed. Thank you.

[Joe Villeneuve]

Sell their cra$ instead of moving it.  If they come back to get it, just tell them someone must have stolen it after they left, and before you got there, or...

don't tell them where you moved their cra$ to until they pay you the cost of moving it there...and only accept cash.

Seriously, one of the first things you find out as a landlord is it will cost you more to try to recover eviction cost losses than it's worth.  Just recover them on the next tenant...gradually.

Don't invest anymore in a State that favors to tenant to the point of landlord extinction.