When a good tenant goes bad . . .

[Sylvia B.]

It had to happen sooner or later . . . sigh.

We have been quite fortunate in our 6 year adventure as landlords. No evictions or major property damage, and very little drama. I know it's a bit much to ask for that to continue permanently, but one can dream. We have a 3 year tenant that went off the rails. It's a pain to deal with, but could have been much, much worse. So here's the story.

Tenant is a single mom with 3 kids and a small dog. There have been a few hiccups during her tenancy, but nothing major. Paid her rent and took care of the house, and notified us of any problems. No major issues found during our inspection in October.

So last month during a very cold spell, her heater went out. We called the HVAC guys and they were there in a couple of hours. She was home, so we didn't need to let them in, but we met them out front just as they were finishing. They have to order a part, but did a work-around, so tenant has heat. Great!

A week later when the part comes in they call to see if they can show up in an hour to get it done. I tell them to let me contact the tenant and I'll let them know. I text the tenant and go about my day. The next day I realize she hasn't answered, so I text again. This time 2 days go by with no answer. So I call the HVAC guys and tell them I will just let them in, and to let me know when they'll be there, and I text tenant again.

No cars in the drive when I get there, and the yard is a bit trashy. Hmm. Kids have written on the front door with chalk. Hmm. The front door is unlocked, and I loudly announce myself when I enter. Oh my! The furniture and floor are completely covered with toys, clothes, and dishes. I move on into the kitchen, and it is worse. Nasty! I clear a path for the repairman and continue my walk through the disaster.

The bathroom is the only room in the house that I would consider livable. Tub, sink, and toilet all clean, and very little stuff on the floor. But every carpet in the house had at least two pukes/poops on it. Not stains, uncleaned piles. Almost every wall from 3' down covered in children's "artwork" or colorful liquid stains. Piles and piles of clothes everywhere. Dresser drawers pulled out, closets mostly empty, no sheets or blankets on the beds, broken mirror laying on one bed. I start to wonder if someone broke in and trashed their place, but no, TV's, computer, and Xbox are all there, though someone puked purple on the computer keyboard.

Hubby calls tenant's emergency contact, who happens to be her mother. Drama ensues, but we give tenant 30 days notice and she moves out in 3. 

Here are a few photos from the move out inspection:

There is feces mixed with the paint and glitter in this kitchen drawer!

That brown spot on the counter is missing the top layer of the formica. How does one do that?

In case you were wondering, a vacuum won't remove ink/toner/whatever this is. ;-)
At least they got the puke up.

Yes, it could have been much, much worse. I guess I'm spoiled. The last time this property turned it was so clean all I had to do was rekey the locks.