All Forum Posts by: Trish Murphy

Hello all, 

I recently was able to remove my tenants from this property by giving them a "Notice to quit", and sending to the parents as well as the students. I basically told them if they didn't want to cooperate, they I would be taking them to court. 

They agreed. Now on to the next step, which is the security deposit. As of now, the damages come to almost $2,000., out of a $3,000 security deposit. I am trying to find out if the lost rent for the month of January (since I need time to make repairs), could also be taken from the security. After all, it was through no fault of my own that I lost rent for the month of January. My question is, am I legally able to recover any of this lost rent? 

I am not looking to take these people to court, however, I would like to be compensated, since I cannot put it on the market for rent until hopefully February 1st., after repairs are made. 

A response to my email was given, and I would like to run it by this forum before I answer them. The one tenant that did not have credit paid their rent for the 9 months upfront. He is asking to receive this back, before he moves out, so that he has another place to go. 

I want to tell him that I need to hold onto any monies paid upfront, until after I get back the estimate for the damages, but on the same hand, I want them out. So, should I agree to pay him back his money in the next 3 days so he agrees to move out by then??

A timely response to my question would be appreciated.  

New Jersey. I just sent out the email today with the NOtice to Quit attached, to be out by the 31st of this month. There is a group of 4 students, that I'm afraid that even if only 2 or maybe 3 move out by the end of the month, then the other 1 or 2 will stay there. Then who do I put the lawsuit against?

Thank-you, thank-you!!! 

You are right that it's better to send it immediately and put a stop to it, before it gets worse. I have the Quit  NOtice ready to go, and I have an email that is drafted. The only thing I didn't do was to list the cost of all damages, only what they were? I would have to get an estimate, and that could take extra time, so I think I'll send the email today with the Quit Notice of 3 days, today. They are away on Winter Break now, (except one), and this way they can make other arrangements for the new semester.

If I send it today they will be technically evicted as of December 31, although I don't think they will be getting out by then. Which means I will have to take it to court, which could take 4 to 6 weeks, and probably no get rent during that time. 

Hi All, 

I had new tenants (students) move-in in September, and 1 week after moving in I had to let the water company in to change the meter. I couldn't believe what I saw! The place was party central!!  Beer pong tables set -up in the living room, empty bottles of vodka all over the place, garbage piled up in kitchen. Food thrown into kitchen sink., on and on,,,,

So, I left there saying I was going to evict and once I calmed down and spoke to the parents, they begged and pleaded with me to give them a second chance. Well I gave in and did. So now, it's winter break and I sent out an email to all (including parents), saying to be sure to leave the heat on 50 degrees while away, and that I would be going there to check the filter in the furnace. I went there on the 27th of December, and it was extremely cold in the house, so I looked at the thermostat, and it was on 64 degrees.  I then turned up the thermostat, and it never came on!!

So, to make a long story short, I went to the basement and the emergency switch was turned off. So no heat had been on in the house.!! I was livid, that if I hadn't gone there, over the next couple of weeks, the pipes could have froze. In addition to no heat, there were numerous other damages throughout the house, door knobs ripped out, holes in interior doors, a/c cover missing/broken, fast-food bags laying around half eaten, bottom basement step broken. 

I am sick about it  and  want to evict them, because it's not going to get any better.  It is now December 27th, and I have a letter written out in email but I am hesitant to send to the students and parents because it is so close to rent time, maybe I should wait until the 5th of January, so that I get January's rent first?  I'm also worried that if I do try and evict them, they are probably likely to do other damage, before our court date.  I found a form online today for a "Notice to Quit", which gives them 3 days to leave. We all know this won't happen, but I do want to follow the legal procedures.   So does anyone have any input on what I am and have been doing so far. I can't imagine what it would be like to have them for another 5 months. 

My questions are: do I send the Notice to Quit in an email right away?   Or, do I wait and send in beginning of January. 

Second, what can I do to not have the tenants totally destroy the house, before going to court? 

Trish