Tenant From Hell Left But Didn't Leave Keys

[Jon S.]

A Florida tenant has been one of those nightmare tenants. I acquired the unit with them in it, but I asked them to move right away, and they asked if they could stay one more month, this went on for 8 months. I needed to do repairs, as the unit was not in good condition when I acquired it.  They ended up calling code enforcement to complain about repairs. I told code enforcement that I've been trying to get them to leave for 8 months. I had offered them $500 to move out by the end of Sept, and then offered them 1/2 of that amount ($250) to move out a week later, but they missed both deadlines. They threatened me that if I didn't pay them the money upfront, before they fully moved out, they would pay the rent money to an escrow account at the courthouse. That never happened by the way. I told them that they could read the offer, which was in writing, that they would get cash when they were done if they moved out by Sept 30th. I verbally told them that I would pay half that if they were out a week later, but they missed that deadline too. Code enforcement was fine, they understood the dilemma. At the end of last week they moved out but did not provide me with a key to the apartment. They are also not answering their phone. Now they are texting me that they have a couple items left in the apartment. Last week they had me drive 20 min to the apartment to meet them there to get the keys, and then they didn't show up and sent me a text as I arrived that they weren't going to go there that day, with no further information. When I asked the next day when would they give me the key, and even offered to come get it from them, or meet them somewhere more convenient. they said they had a couple things in there and would let me know. That was a few days ago.  They don't answer their phone now. They verbally gave me a bogus forwarding address. When I texted it back to them, using St in the address, all they text back was WAY; I can only assume they meant it was not a street but it was a Way, but they didn't type in a whole forwarding address. I looked up the address every which way and its a completely non existent address. I called the utility company to confirm that they had taken the electricity account out of their name, they did turn off the electricity. I then put the electricity in my name before the utility company went out and physically turn it off at the meter, to save on the turn on transfer cost. I'll need power right away to do the repairs.  I was advised by someone in the business to go ahead and drill the locks, leave a note on the window of the apartment, from the inside facing out, stating that maintenance was required, the apartment had to be accessed and secured, the locks have been changed, and letting them know that if they left anything behind that they need to call the landlord.  Does that seem reasonable?  I don't want them claiming I threw their stuff out, and then have a judgement against me. I haven't been in the apt yet,  so I don't know what they left behind, but I'm planning to drill the locks today or tomorrow. Thank you all for any insight, advice, etc!!! 

[Account Closed]

They're out. Any stuff left in the apartment belongs to you. Drill out and replace the locks with a cordless drill. Leave all their stuff on the corner and send them a phone message saying, "Your Stuff Out On Corner. Come and Get It." Hang up on them if they call. If the stuff is still there after a week, put a sign on it that says "Free Stuff." Put an alarm system in the house that calls you if someone kicks the front door in.

The power is in your name now. Turn it on again, or buy a generator to work on repairs.

Consider all the money you're spending on security as basic investment for the professional landlord dealing with rough trade tenants in C and D-class rentals. At least you don't need a Kevlar vest and a firearm yet. Do you have a short-barreled 12-gauge self-defense shotgun for your home? These people sometimes get drunk or high and do stupid things.

OK, fine...that's a bit much. But if you go on in this life, you're going to run into a lot of people who have trouble telling the difference between kindness and weakness. Know the law and follow it. Don't allow tenants to threaten or blackmail you. It is better to be feared than loved.