Tenant Pays Rent Late and now Claims Harassment when filing for 10 days Notice

[Isla Arshad]

So I get this referral from a relative about a tenant who has good credit score, no criminal history, and a good paying job. I did the right thing by asking for the security deposit and first month of rent before handing the keys.

For the next two months, she has been a nightmare. First month comes and she pays rent 7 days later after I text and call her. She is a truck driver and had always claimed she is on the road and can't talk. This frustrating because she claims that she reserves the right to ignore me because she is working.

We use zelle for payment and it happens to be her sister's account. Second month comes and she pays me in partial payments (4 days late). She does not respond to my texts or calls. I then suggest setting up a bank account where there is auto pay. This way she wouldn't be bothered etc.

Again, crickets and no action from her. This fourth month, the rent due date passes and I am upset.

I write her a 10 day eviction notice (pay or quit). I made a statement that her work does not mean she gets to ignore me and pay property. I also state that eviction can prevent her from getting a property in the future. She responds back claiming that I am unnecessarily using ger occupation in the argument and am now starting to harass her.

Her response message was all over the place and extremely unprofessional (I mean, I didn't expect any better). In her message she states that because she zelles so much, I'd have to 'wait my turn before I get my money.' (????)

I reply firmly that the rent has been late for the past two months as well as this month and she will have to vacate the property.

Again, crickets...

There are few days until the 10 day notice period expires and I can formally file for eviction.

So I reached out to lawyers in the area and they ask for retainers up to $3k and some $300 consultation fees. I want to pursue the case without legal help but I fear she might use my email to double down on harassment claims and go for appeal.

Really down atm so please advise :)