My current tenants have been a nightmare. I need help.
This is a 3 bd house 2 ba 1270sq ft + 700sq ft ADU above detached garage in a quiet WA neighborhood. I live in the Adu. Also My 1st property.
Upon coming towards the end of the 1st lease, with a couple months left, I reached out to double check with the tenants if they want to renew. They have kids going to school, work is close, etc, it was an ideal option. I had notified them of some changes in the new lease, issues with mail backing up, and increasing rent. After going back and forth for a bit they agreed to the increase and all seemed fine. I told them I'd draft up the new lease & have it ready the beginning of March for them to sign, then I'll scan it and send an electronic copy.
March 1st (Wednesday) I leave them the new lease (black mailbox visible in driveway) and text the groupchat that it's ready for them to sign... no response. By Friday I'm getting worried and ask if anything is wrong, and if no one responds by Sunday, I'll assume we aren't renewing the lease... no response. On Sunday the male tenant pulls into the driveway and approaches me, working on the yard. He says sorry they haven't responded, the female tenant is drinking heavy again, taking prescription pills, and eludes to an altercation. So he says he doesn't want to be part of it and is moving out, will live in his truck if necessary. I ask for this in writing and he sends me a version of this excluding the altercation piece.
Monday I send a message to the female, stating I haven't received a response so im understanding the renewal isnt happening, and the male says he isn't staying. Also that I need to schedule a final inspection when she's ready, but if I don't receive a response by Wednesday, I will assume she is going to violate the lease and I will have to process an eviction (**this is important**)
She responds and says sorry, she's been sick, but she is okay with any inspection, and doesn't want to cause any issue.
I tell her okay, sounds good, hope she gets better, but the lack of responses has been getting me worried. I later get back to the property and she also eludes to a bad conflict and that her family will bring a uhaul in 2days to move her and her child out, also mentions the dishwasher is broken. I tell her okay, thank you for the update I will stay elsewhere Wednesday so our driveway is accessible. Also ask her to send me in writing what she told me. She doesn't.
By Thursday I prepare a plan to do an initial inspection to have an idea of repairs, service, deductions to sec deposit. I get home and to my surprise she seems no not have moved her car in a few days (not out of ordinary) but its obvious the uhual didnt come. I text the female. Hey, this weekend I'd like to do an initial inspection, please let me know what time Saturday I can enter and which entry will be left unlocked, also please send me in writing what you stated in person. She replies "Ok"
I give it a bit over an hour, I see she is home. Then reply I think there is a misunderstanding, i need in writing what you said in person about your plan to move for reference, as im changing plans and making arrangements based on this information. Also that their change in intentions were unexpected and it doesn't afford much time to prepare as I already have an obligated out of state trip planned. Then ask if a specific time on saturday works. She doesn't respond.
I had forwarded the request to gain entry on Saturday to the male, which said go ahead in the back door Saturday.
Saturday inspection I find some glaring issues, holes in walls, things not reported, etc, they haven't taken car of the house well. And also obvious nothing has been packed.
I text the group chat that im done with the inspection ask some questions about small things and repairs, also their propane is empty. Then reiterate the change in renewal plans is tough, and any move out information would be great. Also if I continue getting no response I will assume that a violation in the lease might occur and will have to take eviction action, includes something illegal going on, or violating the terms agreed to. (Communication hasn't been great)
Male says yup we will be out cleaned repairs and keys returned by the 31st. This seems like good news they have some type of plan. I tell them if a uhaul is coming please let me know in advanced so we arent blocking or being blocked by one another. Guy says Ok.
8hrs (7:30 pm) later he says im threatening to them and wants to fight, calls me a child says im ungrateful (hes obviously intoxicated) confused I ask him what's going on and clarify these threats as a notice about violating the lease & ramifications due to their lack of responses and possible altercation (not the first time 1 of 4 times reported altercations) I also call the police and report him harassing me. he isnt at the house at this time.
He continues to use foul language towards me, calling me names etc and keeps telling me to fight him. This continues until he gets home at 10pm. Which he block the shared driveway with his truck, revving the engine and continues to tell me to fight him, calling names, etc, saying things like "I'm not afraid to die, you are" this continues for about an hour until police arrive. Police must've been having a bad day, because despite recording him & all the texts, also being intoxicated in his truck and proof he was driving intoxicated they said this was all a civil matter and I should have never have mentioned anything about eviction, also that i made him seem more dangerous than what he was to get a police response, which boggles my mind, because how the hell am i supposed to how how dangerous a guy is , he could have a gun and just wants me to come out, the operator said not to engage, and i honestly dont feel safe if theres already some domestic violence situation happening behind scenes. They do nothing and leave.
All in all, he claims i threatened them. I want them gone ASAP, but don't know if I should just process all the eviction paperwork I've prepared given I have plenty of proof of harassment via text and video. What should I do? felt like i had a good grasp and did my research. Get a lawyer, if I can afford it? Any help?
