Tenant Trash Hoarding - Refused to let us in

[Sara Soleimani]

After three months of giving notice to our tenant to inspect the property and getting refused and canceled last minute, we finally entered the condo and faced the disaster. Massive trash accumulation and hoarding. I could not even stay there because of the bugs and the smell. There were blood stains on the wall which really scared us. 

She doesn't know we saw the mess. We gave her a notice a week of ago, but she canceled last minute again saying she is out of town. She also said that she is suffering from depression (really sad) and the condo is not clean and she is ashamed to let us in.

We gave her the final final notice to clean the condo by next week but I am afraid she doesn't do anything again due to her depression. We really want to help her but at the same time we don't want her there for the next year.

The lease is ending by the next month. We are not sure what to do about the whole situation specially the blood on the wall, it looked like she tried to harm herself or something. Should we contact the Police? 

The property is in Orange County, CA.

Any advice is really appreciated. Thank you.

[Thomas S.]

Your tenants personal problems, depression, is not of your concern. You need to act quickly on this matter as it is unlikely you will have any option other that to evict. You will need to go through the process including having the sheriff remove her. Your tenant will not do anything on her own.

I can guarantee that if you show any compassion for this individual it will ultimately end up costing you more money/lost income.

There is no room for compassion in a situation such as this. Your priority is to take back possession of your property.

You also need to learn your state landlord rights regarding entry to your property. Tenants do not have the right to refuse entry to a landlord when given proper notice.