PM (without contract) or Landlord to testify in eviction proceedings

[Abass Sheikh]

Hello there,

Now that we are deep into eviction proceedings, I am debating whether to testify myself or use a relatively inexperienced PM that was managing my property for the last few months after I ran into the tenant challenges.

If you are wondering why I didn't use a more experience PM with proper contract etc. Due to tenant non payment and other issues I was upfront with potential PMs, those that were initially interested backed off. Thus I was left with a relatively new PM that was just getting started and charged me only 5% rate, but he didn't want a written contract just verbal agreement though I wrote him emails to have some sort of writing in place.

The pros for using the PM may be potential safety since the tenant knows my address and only saw me once just before the day of closing (inherited tenant), testifying myself may mean more exposure and recognition etc. The downside is I may be able to do a better job! What would you do?