My first Rental, turned into my first eviction :(

[Seth Macomber]

I've heard it a million times, "never rent to family." Being the naive person that I was -- possibly still is -- I didn't listen. 

I rented my condo out to a family member in 2013. By early 2014, I noticed their rent payments were becoming more and more sporadic. This concerned me. By August 2014, I told them it was time they find else where to live. After a heated reaction, they agreed. Fast forward to January 2016, they were still there and somehow amassed an incredible $15,800 of back rent. The only course of action I saw by that point, was to evict. It was the hardest decision that I made that day -- it was probably a Sunday, Sundays are slow days for decision making needs. 

I called my realtor friend to get his thoughts, and I'm not sure if he was trying to be funny or not but he said, "that's why I always tell people never rent to family" -- part of me thinks he wanted to rub a little salt on the wound. 

After months of going back between the lawyer and the courts, I received a Summary of Judgement today, and the tenants in my rental will be removed by law enforcement if they do not voluntarily vacate in 2 weeks.

I'm pretty bummed that it came this far. I am not sure if I have questions for anyone or if I am subconsciously searching for some comfort. 

In any case, I had to let it out.