Evicting Tenant with Medical issues - Feel like a grinch

[Tomo Iikubo]

I am having to evict a tenant for the first time, and wanted to get some perspective / opinions.  

Tenant had an ongoing trend of late payments, etc., which I let slide for the first few months.  

October check bounced, (They sent from closed account!) They deposited cash in middle of November

November check bounced (from same closed account)

December check received, but from same closed account, so positive this will bounce.

At this point, I had enough, and filed for 3 days to vacate notice, and recently, an eviction has been filed.

I have a hearing date set, which I plan to go through with.  All correspondence from me has been via email, and cordial but factual.

Here's where I feel like a grinch.  Through correspondence, he has been telling me that his wife is going through chemotherapy, and that the notice to vacate / eviction notice, and emails have had an emotional toll, and that he will file a lawsuit against me for emotional damage, etc.  I am still proceeding with the eviction, as I've had enough of the runarounds.  I do sincerely hope his wife will get better (I hope someone would not lie about something like that).

QUESTION: Am I in the wrong to proceed with eviction?  I'm a bit conflicted from a moral perspective, but determined to proceed with the eviction from a business/factual perspective....unless you can see some negative result, specifically as it relates to the medical condition.

Any perspective or experience would be greatly appreciated.  

[Steve S.]

Through correspondence, he has been telling me that his wife is going through chemotherapy, and that the notice to vacate / eviction notice, and emails have had an emotional toll, and that he will file a lawsuit against me for emotional damage, etc.

You know what would reduce the emotional toll?? PAYING THE RENT!

There is absolutely no good time to evict a tenant! When have you ever heard from a tenant, 'ohh you're serving me a notice to vacate... ohh for sure that's awesome this is a good time for me.. I'm just going to get my stuff and leave"

The only issue I have is that you have waited this long. First time the cheque bounced I would be serving them a notice.

Life circumstances are not going well for tenants but does that mean that it should affect your pocket book. You have done the right thing at this point, cut it loose and move on.