All Forum Posts by: Sandra Sunshine

Hi All-

After the mediation, he did leave. Two things that I did which I think helped. Only agreeing to pay him if the apartment was left in good condition and talking to many different authorities about him, which he became aware of. Initially after first talking to the cops, the drug paraphernalia was moved from my yard/basement-but his lawyer said he was getting very upset over all I was doing-I think this helped to keep him from doing anything stupid post moving out. It sucks that it cost me $6,000 in the end-but my lawyer was correct in saying this type of a problem is worth it. It could have taken almost a year to get him out otherwise and I just couldn't live that way.
What also helped was that the tenants living with him blamed him. I over heard some of his roommates screaming at him for keeping their money, not paying me and causing so much trouble for everyone, I called the cops. One of his sons approached my daughter at a party and apologized saying this is what his father does and that he is a very crazy. The cops called me and noted that they knew where he moved to and contacted the local police to watch him.
He got a battle he did not expect,I think, but knew what he could get out of me one way or the other. Scum.....professional tenant.
All is well-I could never have sold it and it had taken me so long to be in a position to buy my own home, that it would have set me back further than the 6 grand.

I believe Massachusetts is the least friendly state to landlords. Some states have laws that address threats from tenants, and I believe the laws need to be amended to address this in Massachusetts.

There is no protection from threatening tenants and it is a nightmare to get them out unless they don't pay.

Sandra

Hi Jon-

That's pretty good. If someone said that to me, I would ask questions.....but I think it says he wants a written neutral reference. Ugh! I think that would be ok to write though. Still, makes me feel guilty that I can't inform.

I have searched the internet for meth testing/environmental companies, and have not found any who test around here, was hoping I could do it myself also.

Thank you
Sandra

Hi Steve & Mike-

Well, firstly, he has lived there for 4 years. Even if I went to court and won a claim against him, he probably wouldn't pay-but I still NEED to know for health and safety reasons of a new tenant or for sale. I just wouldn't sell or rent knowing it's a possibility and doing nothing about it.

Mike- He has waived all rights to an appeal and dropped all his claims against me. If he doesn't leave, he is charged $50/day and my lawyer gets a court order for removal by the sheriff. The judge signed off on the agreement. I'm still upset that I'll be legally bound to provide a neutral reference........any way around that?

Also-any knowledge of testing for meth on walls etc?

Sandra

Hi All-

Went to mediation on the 21st. I settled because my lawyer told me to. 2 months free rent and 2 months rent paid to get out by Sept 15th. It was also set up that he won't get all of it until the keys are returned and the apt. inspected.
I am hoping he leaves. He was apparently getting extremely upset with all the people I was speaking to about him. I had heard through a confidential source that he is a blow hard, and will not hurt me....so I am still hoping, but I continued to contact the DA, the Supierior court Probation office, his old landlords, the Police as a means of obtaining evidence to discredit him and his bogus lies of slumlord abuse, so I could win the case.
But I settled simply because I need him out ASAP, and could not afford to have the courts give him a 6 month stay.....I have to live here.

In any event, I am extremely upset with the police, because through many situations they seemed to give him the benefit of the doubt and not really do much for me. The drug investigation was a joke. But it has come to light that he is a narc and has been since the 90's and that really speaks to his arrogance. They protect him.

They ignored the reports of meth cooking parephinalia in my yard and basement and it was obvious, though only to me since I became informed. The first day I went to the police, he had it all removed within a couple of days....I wonder how he knew.

I will inspect with a housing court specialist on Friday and would like to swab the walls....I just would not want anyone to live their without doing something if need be.

Anyone have a suggestion for testing the apt for meth residue?

Sandra

Hi Mike-

The biggest problem with this case is that he WAS paying rent until the eviction process started and has called the Board of Health etc, with phony complaints. Even though it seems so incredulous that this is going on, the successful landlords that I have talked to, all settled to get rid of their tenants. The ONLY way that you can get anywhere is when they are not paying rent.

I had and continue to have the same reaction as you do. The successful landlords say to use my lawyer. But I just wonder constantly what the hell is going on.

I have spoken with EVERY recommended landlord attorney (7) and got the same reaction from them ALL. One told me a story about a little old lady with a man in an apartment in her house. He seriously terrorized her, but because he paid his rent and kept playing legal games, she could not get him out for 2 years!

Massachusetts is the WORST state in the country for Landlords. I believe this guy is SO possessive of my house that he is going to drag it out as long as possible. Something has made him so arrogant, it's ridiculous. The Sheriff said to me, "Just sell it and let someone else deal with him." WTF? But yeah, I am trying.

It is hard to believe for any state. It's absurd- I agree. The apathy I experience from everyone ie: State Rep, Selectboard, Sheriff's, the Police Dept, lawyers, etc, is unbelievable.
This is why I say, I need to get a huge article written-I'm at a loss.

Sandra

Just a suggestion: Make sure the tenants are out prior to closing. Unless the eviction can be transferred. It does have to be done legally from one owner to another I believe.

I made the mistake of giving my tenant a chance after he had been difficult with showings, when I was looking at my place and I am dealing with the worst nightmare of my life.

Yes- I believe it is likely the tenants adult son, and he is not supposed to be living there. which now makes 5 people living in my house free from paying rent at this point.
Yes, I am supporting 5 adult males, as a single woman. Intimidated, screamed at and bullied. Not to mention they are selling drugs.
I think I need to get an article written.

Sandra

Hi Mike-

The court case has been reassigned for August 21st. My lawyer wants to see what the tenant and his lawyer are looking for. No-one is responding so far. I'm getting a little ticked because my lawyer does not seem to be doing too much, but we'll see.

One would think that in an owner occupied 2 story, and as a single woman, that I should have a scrap of a right.

He is insane if he believes he can re-assign my realtor.

Sandra

Hi all-

The plot thickens and as I am waiting for a reply from my lawyer, I thought I would see if anyone has knowledge of this issue.

Today, I found out that my horrible tenant is keeping someone at the house on house arrest. It could be his adult son, but I am not sure. It seems, when the agent was showing the house the CO detector, plugged into the wall was beeping. I am out of town and afraid to not respond to issues like this. I called the Fire dept to check it out and my realtor was there to let them into the basement if need be. Amongst, the fact that the tenant called the police on my realtor and screamed for her to get off his property, yes where I live also, and said he was having the sale assigned to someone else, it seems that the alarm was a house alarm system as someone is under house arrest.

Just wondering if this gives me more legal rights as I live there and was not informed, or if this gives my tenant EVEN more rights?

Thanks
Sandra