Evict or cash for keys?

[Grayson Gist]

Hey all, My wife and I just bought our first small multi family (fourplex) that we intend to owner occupy. After closing we sent one of the units a termination of their month to month lease because we have to move into it. The tenant has been there for quite a few years and has broken so many aspects of their lease I lost count. They have: - kept a ferret without a deposit or approval - just put a hole in the wall - painted all the bedrooms ridiculous colors - Havent oaid their trash bill in over 3 years - replaced all the ceiling fans and did the electrical themselves (without a license) And multiple other things. He said he would move out by the first of next month but demanded I give him his security deposit back, in full, right now. And has been very confrontational and demanding. I’m not giving it back until after move out, but he is retaliating by submitting a heap of new “maintenance requests” that seem to just now come up. I’m worried he’s going to keep destroying the unit, should I just wait out the two weeks or try to evict? Thank you

[Nathan Gesner]

And under no circumstances should you return the deposit or hand them any cash prior to vacancy. I also recommend you cut off all communication and start the eviction process. In most cases, tenants will disappear when they receive the Pay or Quit Notice and realize you're not going to play games. The more you talk with them, the more they will try to intimidate or manipulate.