File for eviction so tenant can get assistance????

[Vincent Plant]

I’ve had some tenants in my property for about 5 years. They have been good tenants. Polite, honest, never complain, pay on time (usually), and I like them.

It’s a lower income house and through the years they have hit some rough patches and been late here and there. Once they had to get an assistance program to help them through a few months, but they always had gotten back on track and stayed honest with me.

They didn’t pay for November and called me in crisis mode saying husband is injured and couldn’t work, they had to get a new health insurance plan, car repairs, all stacked up. They are in a rough spot and can’t pay.

They tried to seek assistance but I guess the programs have changed where you actually need to show them an eviction notice to be able to apply for assistance.

They are asking me to take them to court for eviction so they can then apply for assistance.

I don’t like this. I called and confirmed, that’s the case.

It’s December tomorrow, they will soon be 2 month behind. Should I show compassion, let them wait till tax season? Move forward with the eviction? Find another way?

[Greg Scott]

Tough love:  You should get out of the landlording business if you cannot file for eviction.  You will get walked over, burned, lose your property and hurt your family.  If you can't do what it takes to be successful, just sell this property and move on.

Pragmatically: They ASKED you to file for eviction FOR THEM and you confirmed what they said was true.  Why won't you help them since the downside to you is minimal?

Snide remark:  How are you showing compassion to anyone?  You have heard that landlords are evil and evictions are evil.  You can't stomach being part of one.   In reality, you are hurting EVERYONE because you are to afraid to stand up for your rights.