Unauthorized occupants (tenants already moved out)

[MK Wang]

Hey BP,

Here is my situation. My original tenant moved out without notifying me while the lease term still active and she moved someone into the unit without my permission. She gave me the bs that she's on some sort of work assignment and these people are just here to do "house-sitting". My lease with her clearly says any guest over 14 days needs the landlord's written permission and they have stayed there for almost a month, so they clearly violated the lease terms. We are going to evict everyone in the house and the original tenant.

Here is my question, since my tenant moved out without providing a forwarding address, how do I proceed with serving her the eviction paper?

[Mary M.]

Here is what I would do:  Talk with the people in the house.   Explain what is happening.  Ask if they can pass your screening.   If so have the people in residence fill out applications. If they pass your rental criteria sign them up on the lease.  If they dont then talk with them about moving.   It does no good at this point to make things difficult. 

Also, do NOT call the employer of the old tenant. The employer cant give you any info anyway - so its a waste of time. 

Also, call/contact the old tenant and let them know you will help mitigate damages (you must, by law) but that the lease calls for xyz in damages for a broken lease.  Usually it makes sense to just get the unit leased and not worry about fighting......   

And MOST important.  Read your locales laws so you know what you can and can not do. Do not  rely on a BB for that info.