Worst-Case Scenario Eviction - Massachusetts

[Karl Kauper]

For a 3-bed, 2-bath house in Sutton, MA (good school system), if I screen very carefully (high credit score, work history, no evictions, etc.), please describe for me the worst-case scenario for an eviction process if the tenant refuses to leave at the end of a lease term (assuming I do everything properly according to MA laws)?

I own such a house with a few other people, but, for reasons I won’t go into here, we cannot sell the house for several years. I want to rent it out instead of allowing it to sit vacant, but the other owners are hesitant to rent because of fears of dealing with potentially difficult tenants. So, this is why I’m asking you to describe for me the worst-case scenario. In other words, I want to make the argument that even the worst-case scenario is better than allowing the house to sit vacant for several years while meanwhile paying out-of-pocket for taxes, minimal heat, lawn care, etc. Easy argument to make, isn’t it? Thanks!

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Karl Kauper:

I process nearly 1,000 applications per year for the last 15 years. Yet you're able to screen applications more effectively?

If you are more capable than a PM, why don't you know the answer to your question? Laura is a PM, she answered your question, and your response was to fire back that you can do a better job than a PM. Does that make sense?

A tenant could sneak past your screening with falsified applications that you can't catch. Once in, they could pay rent for a few months until you feel everything is perfect, which then greases the tracks for them to tear your life apart. They stop rent and communication. You file for eviction and they employ multiple delay tactics that extend your court case 3-6 months without batting an eye, all while not paying rent. When you finally get them on the ropes, they pack up and move out never to be seen again. You find the house completely trashed with missing appliances and cabinets, tenants were cooking meth, windows broken, etc. 6-8 months of unpaid rent, unpaid utilities, thousands to empty the abandoned property and trash, $50,000 to completely renovate the property and make it rentable again, plus all the time, energy, and stress along the way.

I would actually argue this is pretty common and not even the worst-case scenario. I've seen landlords held hostage for years by tenants who know how to manipulate the law.

On the other hand, sitting vacant costs you the mortgage, taxes, utilities, insurance, lawncare, and other expenses. If that's $25,000 a year, then two years of vacancy is about the same as a really, really bad renter. If you're as good as you claim to be, it should be easy to show that the rewards outweigh the risk.