Should I keep this Tenant? Need your advice

Question

I need your advice regarding this tenant.
Her lease began on the 1st of  this month but I allowed her to move in on the 28th of last month since the unit was vacant.The background,rental and work verification was perfect. She paid her deposit and agreed to pay her rent portion (she's section 8 )on the 1st. She called on the 1st and said that she broke a window while putting her bed together and needed the window fixed. I told her she had to fix the glass since she broke it. She said that she does not have the money to fix the window and if we won't fix it she will move out.The window was not opening all the way and I had promised to replace it soon. I didn't want to argue with her and I bonded up the window awaiting to put a new one. On the 3rd called to say that the AC is not working. I went there to check on the AC and when I asked her for rent, she said she does not have any money and she'll pay on the 9th. I told her that she should pay or move out by the if rent is not paid by the 5th.Today she said she'll move out on 06/11/11. I wrote a note to her confirming her words and called section 8 to let them know.Then she found out this afternoon that section 8 will kick her out of the program for one year  and now she and her mother have  been calling me non stop begging me to let her stay.(She just divorced and going through issues according to the mother)
She has left v/ms promising pay the rent on the 9th and that the situation will not happen again.I don't feel comfortable with her and need her out asap but l also want to do the right thing legally. 
What should I do??

Chris Sweeney · Answer

I would like to say to give her 1 chance to start fresh but her attitude BEFORE she got the call from Section 8 saying "you don't fix it I'm moving out" shows her true colors.  See ya!

Jon Holdman · Answer

One full months rent plus security deposit before anyone moves in.  In cash or a money order.  End of story.

What's the law in your state?  What does your lease say?  Follow those and post the notice on the very first day its allowed.  Proceed with the eviction if she's not gone by the deadline.

Do follow your lease and the law w.r.t the security deposit.  She would at least owe you for June plus the window she broke.

Bienes Raices · Answer

I'm still trying to figure out how she managed to break a window while putting her bed together.  :roll:

Phillip Gainey · Answer

So she's already got the government to pay 70% of her rent, and now wants you to subsidize the rest?    Sounds like an entitlement baby to me.

Are you running a charity or a business?

Cheryl C. · Answer

I agree with the others.  Get her out.  Follow all legal requirements.  Looking back, do you see something in her background check that could have alerted you?  How did she have the good references, etc.?  Do you believe that her situation changed very recently due to the divorce?  Why was she moving?  It is true that she will be kicked out of the section 8 program.

Joshua Dorkin · Answer

Move on with the eviction.  If you don't prove to her that you mean business, she will more likely than not, continue to take advantage of you.

I STRONGLY suggest you read the following:
8 Tips For Screening Out Professional Tenants: Your Worst Nightmare!

Aly W. · Answer

Definitely proceed with the eviction. If she doesn't have the money now, she won't have it on the 9th. I'm going through this now with a tenant and filed the eviction on the 3rd of the month.

Professional tenants like this know you're feeling confused and will totally play you. Cut your losses and get her out. Her issues are not your issues, and she has no concern for you.

And as other landlords on BP have said, never feel sorry for a tenant because they will never feel sorry for you. Never!

Greg B. · Answer

IMHO, she's out.  She is a professional tenant and trying to play you.  She is searching for your weakness.  If you show her any compromise she will break it.  I have a feeling that this is not her first rodeo.

Steve Babiak · Answer

For the answer to this quoted statement, see Aly L's first sentence in her post just above this ...

Aly W. · Answer

A tenant living for free will never leave on their own. I evicted one for non payment of rent after their rental assistance was canceled, after he told me he would go voluntarily. Never happened. I have another eviction in process now, not Section 8, but tenant ignored the Pay or Quit notice and stopped communicating.

Follow through with the eviction, and accept that once that process starts, you'll never see a dime from them. Always get the first month's rent and security in a money order. Good luck.

Should I keep this Tenant? Need your advice

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