MA Question

[Daniel H.]

Couple of questions about evictions in MA. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Here is the situation. One tenant moved in w/ boyfriend, paid $750 first month rent and $750 sec deposit. Second month, boyfriend moved out, she paid $400 late. I served 14-day notice to quit. The 14 days is up today. She says she is going to pay $750 today and wants to work out something to pay off the remaining $350.

I really just want her out and want to replace her with a better tenant. If I summon her to court, the date would probably be Mar. 1, so this month will be wasted either way. I am thinking of taking the $750 today. Then can I summon her to court for eviction on the other $350 that is owed. Since I already gave her the 14-day notice once within last 12 mo., I can summon her right away without another 14-day notice I believe.

Any advice?

Dan

[Brandon Turner]

I'm not sure about your area, but I know in my State of Washington, if I accept ANY money from the tenant after giving the notice, I have to start the whole process over again.

Have you thought about accepting the $750, then asking her to just leave by Friday, in exchange for keeping the $350 and not being evicted?