All Forum Posts by: Jimmy S.

update, still working with the insurance company to find out what caused it. They are mostly thinking the old windows. I have repaired all damage with new sub floor and flooring. Its been 3 weeks my tenant has not been there and I stopped by today for zoning inspections and they have 2 moving trucks and everything out of  the house. They said I broke the law and I am refusing to fix anything which is untrue. They never gave me any notice about moving out. I am trying to fix it but if I dont know what caused it, how can I fix it. They said they want credit for the last 3 weeks of not living there, refund of the security and last month rent. My insurance company is slow but we are making progress and I have kept in touch with my tenants.

What would you do?  Refund them the money? Repairs are completed as of today and zoning approved it today but they moved out today. Not sure what my insurance will cover. Charge them rent from today until I get it re rented?  We are 6 months into a 1 year lease.

 The insurance company said it looks like it was a maintenance issue due to the old windows or roof (5years old) or the window ac.  I have had the house 8 years and never had this problem. Yes there ac was in the window or the other one 4 foot away. They sent me picture after the ac was removed from the window and sitting on the ground which is odd I thought.

 Its says this

20.LEAD PAINT, RADON, MILDEW, MOLD, ASBESTOS OR ANYTHING SIMILAR WAIVER OF RIGHTS

LANDLORD is not aware of or does not have any knowledge of anything in or on the premises mentioned above. This is a disclosure that there may or may not be anything in or on the premises listed above. LANDLORD is not responsible nor can be held liable in anyway. TENANT is aware of the possible risks and or side effects.

update, the insurance is not 100% what caused it. It could be the roof or old windows. My tenant sent me a letter and also reported me to zoning about a mold issue which there is not any visible mold but I have not tested it. There is a 6x10 water stain which flooring and subfloor will be cut out and replaced. Zoning said it is fine but I should  get it tested. I talked to a couple of mold people but they basically told me they will find mold if they test it. Its in every house. I am worried now my tenant might sue me over "this mold issue". Do I need to worry about it? I dont think they will sue me but it seem odd they sent me a certified letter with pictures and reported me to zoning without calling me first. They stated they waited several days before telling me and this has been a ongoing situation for 6 months and they had to evacuate the property due to feeling sick and it being unsafe and they are legally allowed to withhold rent from me. These are 2 different issues, I had a window cap blow off after they moved in had a small leak in the same room. I gave them the option to move out and they want to stay and move back in when its fixed. All their belongs are there and they have keys.

Would you get it tested which will cost thousands or trying to get rid of them, not sure how since they pay on time or am I just being paranoid about them down the road trying to sue me?

Here in PA you would need to evict them. Does not matter if they have a lease or not. It is their home and you cant force them to leave without a judges order. IF you buy it with them in it you inherit the tenant and will need to evict them. I dont think a lease will matter because if it ended and they did not leave you still need to evict them. You could try to push closing back if it is not vacant before you buy it.

thanks everyone for so many responses so quickly. I will keep everyone updated in this process. I would have to evict them if I choose. All there belongs are there and they have the keys. Insurance company will be out tomorrow with a water expert to see what caused it.

I had a leak several months ago, the window cap blew off and I repaired and fixed it.  

Now I get a called about 1 week ago and there is a massive leak from somewhere. Either from the other window,  or from the tenants ac in the window. Its a old window but no one every complained in the last 10 years. The flooring and sub floor will need to be removed and replaced. They moved out and said the place is unlivable and mold is growing. They reported me to the zoning officer and also filed with there renters insurance claim but it was rejected. I agreed that I will not charge them rent for the time they are not living there. Zoning officer was out and said he did not see any mold and the house was livable just not that room till its fixed.  They also did not cut the grass in like 1 month. I am working with my insurance company too and they said dont fix it until a water expert looks at it next week. My tenants said they feel sick from all the mold and mildew after being exposed to it but moved out right away and let all their items.

Tenants now want to be reimbursed for the rent, damage to there items which is nothing, they said their clothes smell like mold, hotel expenses, and reimbursed for financial burden. They want to move back in when its fixed but not sure if mabay I should just be rid of them now to prevent future problems with them.

What would you do? Fix it and let them move back in or try and get rid of them? Should I be charging them rent again soon as its fixed if their not living there? Should I charge them for the grass cutting since it will need to be cut? 

 +1 exactingly

I do not think so. That would be called self help eviction I believe its called. If its in the lease they pay for it you could take them to court for it.

I keep the water in my name and forward the bill to the tenant that why I can make sure it gets paid on time. Yes you can put it in their name but if they dont pay it the borough will just put a lien on the property even though the bill is in their name they are technically not responsible for it, its the property owner.