Tenant shot & in the hospital

[Greg Grisez]

How do you handle this one?  Served a 3 day notice this past Monday.  Got a call from the tenants mother on Tuesday morning - she said her son (my tenant) was shot nine times this past Saturday & is in intensive care, surgeries, etc.  She informed me that she & her sisters plan to take care of the rent so he still has the home when he gets out of the hospital.  I texted her the rent amount on Tuesday afternoon (per her request) & the various ways to pay it - she said she would "get with me on the payment".  I plan to kindly follow up with collecting.

Trust but verify - I looked it up & there was a news story about it

Anyone know of any resources out the there to help him in the short term with rent?  Any legal issues I should be aware of in this situation?  Uncomfortable even thinking/asking this but how do I handle the turnover if he passes away?

Thanks!

Greg

[Greg Scott]

I've been through situations like this.

Hopefully the family pays rent and this becomes a non-issue.

If they don't pay the rent, you need to be understanding and kind, but firm.  It is not your responsibility to house this person's items indefinitely in your rental.  The clear solution is to simply follow the eviction proceedings as you normally would.

Here is one legal sensitivity you need to be aware of.  Do you have written confirmation that the sisters / mother are a good emergency contact?  You should never let someone into a unit without written evidence that you have authorization to do so from the lessee.  If they were listed as an emergency contact, you are OK.  Otherwise, I would seek this out. 

Sad truth of our current legal system, but if you go through the eviction process and he loses all this stuff, you are in the clear.  On the other hand, if the sisters came in and took all his stuff and he had not given you permission, you are liable.

One potential solution if you end up having to go through eviction is to tell the family when the constable / sheriff comes to have their stuff removed.  (Process varies by jurisdiction)  If they know exactly when it is being removed, they can come rescue important items.