Eviction

[Mineto Anfield]

I purchased a home with a tenant already in it. I had a month to month lease with her, but eventually had to evict her. She left owing a month and a half rent and took the stove. Any suggestions on an approach to recover the rent and stove?

[Maximilian Benjamin]

Given the location (if the property is in Alexandria) the rent amount may be a substantial. That said, you may want to consider that the overall time and cost to try and recoup the loss may be prohibitive to considering that loss the cost of doing business. I say this because in order to start the process of trying to recoup your losses you will likely need to retain a lawyer, and that's where time and cost will truly be a factor. Others may be able to give you a rough idea how long the process could take.

How much would you be willing to "spend" in order to capture your loss? That amount may be equal what you've lost; that amount also may not cover the necessary legal fees.

**I'm a vindictive ba#@$%, so if someone wronged me I would have to fight with the part of my personality that would want to spend way more than would be considered logical, just to make a mark on their credit report to make them feel my anguish.