Hello BP family.
4 months ago I rented to a young man and did not do my homework. (lesson learned). There is no lease, he rents month to month. The first 3 months went pretty well. Rent is $850.00 a month. This includes electric, premium cable and high speed internet, water, trash removal. He is only responsible for the heat. This is a in-law suite attached to my main home that I live in. Heat is separate because it has its own furnace. AFTER moving in, he tells me he can not put it in his name because he owes the gas co. $2000.00 (red flag already). He asked if I would provide a rent incentive if he paid the rent early and I said I would give him a $25.00 discount. The last three months he paid ONE DAY early and deducted the $25.00 He pays cash, I was disappointed but didn't say anything. The next 2 months he did the same . This fourth month he wanted to pay 4 full months in advance for a deep discount of $600.00. I said no. thanked him and reminded him that rent must be ONE WEEK early to get the $25.00 discount. I let him know I thought he took a little advantage of my kindness the last three months. No response from him on that. Nov 1rst rolls around and his girlfriend brings me $825.00 and I tell her its short. She takes it back from me and says she will let Sam know! I trusted she would return, she never did. I text Sam and ask for us to wrap this up. He states he has always paid $825.00 and why is that now unexceptable , states he is cranky and don't want to argue and he will "catch up" with me later in the week. I wait 3 days and tell him I will accept the $825.00 and to bring it over so we can talk. He said he would that evening and never did. 24 hours later I posted a pay rent or vacate in 30 days letter. This in now Nov 5th. No response of course. Nov 7th we exchange words when I try to collect the rent AGAIN. He leaves the house and I hear water running thru the pipes in my basement so I IMMEDIATLEY enter the premises and all water faucets are running, heat is up to 100 and all lights and fans are running. I took pics and have a witness. Of course I shut off the water and turned off all lights and fans and put the furnance low. I went to the police dept. to let them know and see if I have any recourse. Nope, civil matter. anyway, I left the water off because I didn't know what this jerk would do. He came home at 3am, drunk and kicked my door in and damaged all my screens. He was arrested. Now he is back! of course the water is back on but I know he will retaliate again!~ He has until 12/7/2015 to move on his own before I start eviction process. Can I install a furnace guard (lock) on the thermostat since it is in MY NAME?? Please any good advice would be appreciated! Give me your thoughts!
thank you,
Debbie
