Accept the learning curve, acknowledge little victories, and never forget that every failure serves as a springboard for success.

Failure is not an event.

Be sure you have backup power, or have at least one "fail-safe" access point that will automatically UNLOCK in the event of power failure.

If it has been damaged in anyway - or if it appears they have been using it inappropriately (like sub-leasing, a business, etc) you can include that in your request with the court as another reason for termination.The good news here is that once a bankruptcy court orders them to pay - failure to do so will discharge their bankruptcy filing and you'll be back at eviction with full right to go after back rent due.

Hopefully the press and failure will keep him from being so successful in his future cons...Thanks to everyone in this thread for sharing this and other stories - certainly sobering!

As with anything in life, there is a lesson to be learned from everything, especially what we tag as failures, care to share yours?

I use: Landlord is not responsible for damage or loss due to the failure of the appliances or the interruption of water/gas/power to those appliances, including but not limited to the loss of food.

For a long time it felt like I was spinning my wheels and getting nowhere but each failure takes you closer to your goal (if you learn from it).

You need to eat the elephant one bite at a time.Predefine both your success and your failure.1.  

―Jim Rohn“There is no failure except in no longer trying.”