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Updated over 5 years ago,

User Stats

58
Posts
19
Votes
Rebecca Graziano
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Dallas, TX
19
Votes |
58
Posts

Prohibitted Subletting - Best Options with Unwanted Occupants

Rebecca Graziano
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Dallas, TX
Posted

Hi BP community!

We have a rental property that suddenly went south. The tenants abandoned the property in September due to domestic issues and parted ways. Because they are still on the hook for rent until a new tenant is found, they illegally subletted the house to a random couple. My PM left a 3 day notice to vacate, which they did not follow. He then called local PD, but did not stay to meet them at the property. Because of his negligence, the new "tenants" claimed they rent the house and the cops went away. (We actually fired our PM last month and are transitioning to a different company next week).

We are open to all options... a few we came up with: 

1) The subs don't know the new PM; opportunity to start fresh, ask for formal application process, formally terminate the prior lease and start a lease with them, at a higher rate to offset our risk.

2) Cash for keys - I've read it can be more effective that going through eviction?

3) Reach out to co-signers (parents of tenants) on lease who are now financially responsible and put pressure on them otherwise they will have to begin rent payments and be held responsible for property damage, eviction court fees, etc.

4) Reach out to tenants and explain subletting is prohibited by law in Texas. We will cancel the lease and they don't have to pay additional rent (they already paid for Oct) as long as they get the subs out of the house. They are young and were likely trying to solve the problem the only way they knew how.

5) New PM call the cops, report act of vandalism (house has damage to front door and door leading to garage).

6) Eviction as last resort.

I would like to avoid eviction and find a better recourse. Any thoughts? 

My previous PM is grossly incompetent - I don't want him near this anymore; he created this problem in the first place. So I'm researching what options we have until new management takes over next week. Terrible timing, but that's life.

Thank you all.

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