Dirty Tenant

[Blanca Ferrufino]

my tenant's lease ends at the end of this month, she did pay for the month, but I've just discovered that my tenant is not leaving at the property anymore, however some of her things are still in the house. It seems she left more than one week ago and she never mentioned it to me. The house is disgusting floors seem like they have never been cleaned, really dirty carpets and I m very concern I have to pay for a pest treatment, and also it is affecting my showings. She does claim that she is "going to the house every evening to take away her things". My question is can I take possession of the property because it has been abandoned? Do I still need to give her 24hr notice to enter the property? Can I make her pay for a maid to come clean the house to avoid pests? in every email she mentioned it is hard for her to clean since she is a single mom when I know her husband was leaving with her at the property. Do you recommend I tell her to not take me as a fool since almost every time I went to the property I saw him, so I know he can help her with the moving and cleaning.  

Thank you in advance for your advice

[Brendon Woirhaye]

@Blanca Ferrufino, if she's paid for the month, it is hers for the month even if she isn't there every night.  You may enter with a 24 hour notice, but you can't force her to pay for a maid.

You should not make any assumptions that she has a husband who can come move boxes for her, this isn't your business as a landlord.  Your business is to know when she has surrendered possession so you can come in and clean up the mess she leaves behind.  Document carefully, save any bills for costs, and deduct it from her security deposit.  In my state, pest control is the responsibility of the landlord, not the tenant - make sure the deductions you make are legal and appropriate.

Don't expect to show it before she is out and you completely clean it.  It may take you more time than you'd like to turn this one.

Good luck!