Adult Children Moved In

[Janel Olds]

Hi Everyone! So I have a really sticky situation that just got worse and need some advice. So I bought a duplex 4 months ago that had existing tenants in it. I was given the leases and the one side has listed two adults, 2 children living there. This person has a 21, 19, and 17 year old and all are living in the residence. I went to eviction court today over this because they also aren’t paying rent on time and I am getting a lot of complaints from neighbors about drug use. I just want them out and I figured this was a sure thing since they were clearly breach given the extra adult. I had proof all three were living there the last 60 days, and a copy of the lease. Well they brought a text message from the previous owner stating they had a verbal agreement. It wasn’t signed and there was zero proof since there was no phone number that this was actually the previous owner. Judge rules in their favor and tells me to update their leases. Now my question is does this make their leases void if I have to update them? This verbal agreement had zero terms in it and didn’t even mention the mentions name who was moving in. I don’t even know where to start with this. If I update the lease can I increase the rent since I pay the utilities? When I questioned the magistrate she told me she doesn’t give legal advice and wouldn’t explain the ruling so I’m at a total loss.