An advocate for my tenant called...

[Nicole A.]

My trouble tenant used to be homeless maybe a year ago or so. So, he has connections with councilors and advocates to I guess help him along.

Anyway, I knew I shouldn't have accepted his application, but I did, and that's over now. He paid first month's rent and the security deposit in September (move in time). Since then, he's got 3 rent judgements and paid just in the knick of time to stop eviction. If he receives a 4th judgement this month, I can evict even if he pays.

In addition to not paying rent, he moved in a couple and their 3 kids, but denies it to me. He says they're just there a lot because it's his God kids. I know otherwise because a lot of their stuff is there, they keep my upstairs tenants up with their noise, and my water bill was higher this quarter than it's ever been.

I sent a letter saying I was ending the lease due to breach of lease and he has 30 days to move out. If he does not, I must file for a court hearing to prove that he's breached lease and moved in people. I also sent him a letter offering him to move out by X date and I would not move forward with any eviction proceedings.

Yesterday, I got a voicemail from some guy with "People Encouraging People" saying he'd like to talk to me to see if there was anyway he could help and talk about my tenant's compliance. I know once in a while these programs will pay the tenant's rent that they are behind on... I will have to confirm if I must accept rent even though it's from someone else that's helping the tenant. I want the tenant out. He is nothing but trouble and when I do see him, he spouts off Maryland laws that aren't even correct.

Anyone been in this situation? How much info would I give to this advocate?Thoughts?

[Thomas Williamson]

If I were in your shoes, I would not return the call from the person trying to help the tenant out. I would deal directly and only with the tenant. I would continue with the eviction process, unless something happens like the tenant paying the rent himself. I'm sure the tenant knows how to work the system, and groups like the one that called you will only help the tenant, and give him all sorts of strategies on how to avoid being evicted by using the courts against you. Good luck.