Tenant issues- non payment/ property damages

[Nelson Luciano]

Hello Bigger Pockets Community!

I'm running into a few issues with my tenants where they haven't paid the rent in months. I gave them a 14 day notice to quit. An additional 30 day notice for non-compliance. I filed a summons and complaints in court and I hired an attorney to evict the tenants. Howeve, the tenants continue saying that they arw going to leave a certain day and they do not move out of the property. The attorney continues giving them extra time even though they are not paying rent and just told me to negotiate with them. However they just lie about leaving and stay in the property for free. The tenants also ignore my letters, emails, phone calls and texts when I try to reach out to them. 

in one occasion I went to do a home inspection and they refused to give me access to the property and even threatened me to the point where I had to call the police. 

They also began damaging the property and the value will probably exceed what I charged in the security deposit. 

I'm tempted to go, shut off the utilities and change they keys but I'm afraid that this could end in me having legal repercussions even though I'm trying to do everything within my power to evict these horrible tenants. What can I do? Any advice? Please and thank you!

[Richard F.]

Aloha,

NEVER, EVER, SHUT OFF THE UTILITIES OR CHANGE THE LOCKS as a "self help" eviction. Most states it will cost you THREE TIMES the rent at a minimum.

If your Attorney is handling the eviction, stay the heck out of it...no contact with Tenants once it is filed in court. Tenant needs to deal direct with Attorney only. You risk "restarting" the eviction clock at a minimum.