Well now I need some good old fashioned prayers from anyone who can spare them. My TENANT situation has just taken a bad bad turn. After the eldest Son immigrated here 2 1/2 months ago, and I nicely gave the entire family a break (more like friends than tenants after 27 years), by not charging them anything extra for all that time, they have now getting 'legal advice' from whomever to take me to court for trying to make the son and wife pay some money or leave after TWO months of FREE staying. I'm reasonably sure that I'm in the right on this, but they seem to really be gearing up for a fight.

Now I have to decide whether to let them stay free forever to avoid the nasty legal stuff, which will surely cost me money and time, or to just evict the entire crew, parents, sons and all. I would hate to do that, but I think it's becoming my number one option.

I'm about to write up a cancellation of my original Tenants month to month agreement and present it to them. This will eventually solve all the problems with this crew. I have to give them 2 months notice (anyone after 2 years residency in California has to have 60 days) and it will be probably with them refusing to pay rent, etc. So I will be in bad shape financially. Lots of rehab to do before re-renting and I will be without major income. And I shudder at trying to find some NICE renters. It's always stressful.

I just don't see this one going smoothly.

The 'family' is down there discussing the matter, and the daughter (who flew in on Friday from somewhere) is reading the weekly rental agreement I gave to the newly imported son last week. He never signed it, doesn't really need to, although it would be nice. He gave me the first weeks rent and there was a lot of anger and attempted bargaining and telling me how awful I was, etc.

Now the gal is on the phone, reading this document, word for word, to someone and relaying information to the rest of the crew. I heard, 'take it to the court', 'don't sign anything', the entire document being read. Ugh!

Need a load of good energy here guys. I'm not going to solve this one easily. Hate when good people, or ones you thought were good, turn suddenly bad when a 'child' of theirs gets involved in OUR affairs. Then the entire extended family pounces and I'm in a bad situation. The newly arrived son says he was 'a judge's aide' where he came from and pretends to know everything about 'Americans'. I'm not sure how he meant that.

I'm off to put out fires. Wish me luck.

Oh my god, I'm so sorry that you have to go through that!
I know absolutely nothing about legal stuff, and even if I did, I'm in the wrong country to be of any help. I'll give all the positive energy I have though, and I will think of you.

Sorta it sounds to me like you had better talk to an attorney so that you don't do anything that comes back to bite you.

What Space Quest said - get a lawyer involved ASAP.

Thanks RebKean and Space Quest Fan. I'm pretty clear on the local laws of Landlord/Tenant rules. I keep up to date on everything. Prayers and energy gratefully accepted. It's already helping.

It's not a problem of 'who will win', it's I don't want to go through a court battle. I did locate just now the Amendment pages signed 2 years ago when we had a similar situation. All 3 of the residents signed agreeing to no visitors of over 2 weeks at a time or 30 total days per year. Black and white proof that they are in total non-compliance. It's what I needed to satisfy the courts IF I tell them all to leave or just the new guys who are the troublemakers.

I did just hear the conversation from the son laughing about OUR interaction when I explained to him why I needed the week to week agreement and the money from him. He was telling his sister all about it and trying to mimic my voice. Oh great. Now I really know he's not the type of person I want as a Tenant. Free to express his opinion, sorry I heard it, didn't intend to, but oh well. He's just a bully and so proud of all the trouble he's causing me.

Drac, I can't afford a lawyer. If needed, I'll have to shop around for a FREE one. Don't know many that really want to help Landlords. I think we are next hated after Lawyers, and Tow Truck Repo men.

More prayers...more more more.

Bummer, I had a tenant who I had to give notice .. they stopped paying rent and I had to take them to court to get them out... they did a lot of damage.... ten's of thousands so I will pray that yours goes better. (and yes this was in California)

Sorta,

Some cities have a Legal Aid Society that might provide you with some free advice.

Hooray! All it takes is some good thoughts and prayers and advice.

The long term Tenant/son just came up and gave me next WEEKS rent for the brother. He didn't have the courtesy of facing me, but the one who's been my Tenant/friend for 27 years explained a lot.

Brother (who I am now calling 'Mr. Big') GOT a job at Wally Mart! Wow. Amazing and I'm so happy for him. So he (or maybe the others) paid the money for this coming week and I'm thrilled.

The brother and I chatted, cleared the air about Mr. Big berating me and bargaining (like his dad) and we laughed. We talked about legalities (this one is a bit limited on English and understanding stuff) but he actually remembered the AMENDMENT that I was referring to of 2 years ago that limits the visitations.

I'm thinking that somewhere this morning, that they came up with the original rental agreement and the amendments and read the legal ramifications of it all. Amazing this son knew all about the visitor's agreements and why I needed some sort of agreement to let them stay longer than the 2 weeks.

I'm thrilled! I'm happy, I'm hoping this doesn't all fall apart next Monday when another payment is due on his week to week.

Told the son to go tell his brother that I'm happy he found a job and not to worry about staying or going. Hope this all settles down and I won't have to go through a nasty eviction like you did Winfrey. I know it can take 6 months to get it done. Really not wanting that, but when you get 'informed' people involved who are trying to 'help' mom and dad, this is what happens.

Thanks to all and especially the man upstairs (or where ever he is).

Congrats Sorta.

Glad it is settled at the moment and hope it stays that way

Phew. Great news! I'm taking all the credit of course, with my enormous amount of sent energy.

No, but seriously, good to hear and let's hope it stays good.

I felt your energy RebKean! Thanks for sparing some. I really think that the 'universe' helped out today in at least settling things for one more week. I'm still not feeling 'safe' because I found out that the 'sister' who was all over this rental agreement stuff is someone 'who does documents'. This from the resident brother (my long term tenant) in not so great English, but I got the idea. She's probably a Para-Legal from what I can tell. How nice.

Still, I'm feeling pretty safe with all my Landlord laws and keeping up with everything I know is legal. Hope I don't suddenly get a summons to court to answer to whatever injustice these happy people feel I did to the family. Geez. You give people a chance, be nice to them (overly so all my neighbors and friends say) and then they want MORE. Then again, I'd rather be able to live with myself and not be the ultimate bad guy. Makes me feel good to know it's not me who is causing all the trouble.

Sorta, I'm glad it settled for now. Continued positive thoughts for you.

Ana

Best attitude ever, Sorta! Hang in there!

Well, so far no other surprises, but I'm still not totally comfy.

Good news is that just before 9 am, Mr. Big took off on his bicycle, in full regalia. Helmet, backpack, long pants (he's usually in shorts). I'm assuming this is his FIRST day at work at Wally Mart and since he's on the bike, it will surely be the one only 4 blocks right down my street. Hooray! This is good. He will have work, he will get money, I will get money. Very nice for today.

No idea if the Sister from Seattle is still here. It's hard to tell when they come and go unless you actually see them packing the suitcases in the car. Hopefully she will go home soon. From what the resident son told me, she's probably a Para-Legal. He said she 'files documents'. Makes sense to me. So all the 'legal' wrangling probably was her project. I'm just going to enjoy the calm for as long as it lasts.

Hope it lasts a good long time!

Hope things remain settled for you Sorta. Sending all the good vibes I can muster!

Well all the energy and prayers are helping! First payment made, second payment made. I had quite a good talk with the 'resident' brother when he brought payment #2 up. I guess Mr. Big is avoiding me. He probably thinks I'll force him to sign that agreement paper. I won't.

So today, TWO days early, up comes the resident brother again with Monday's payment. Wow! Whatever we GB's have with the prayers and energy, we should bottle and market it. It's working!

Also found out that the 'loud talker' is the sister from Seattle who has been here for a week now. She talked to me a few nights ago as they were going shopping AGAIN. They all are on a constant shopping trip. Tons of stuff going in, some groceries, some not. She is the friendliest of all the kids. I've met her several times before, but she looks so OLD now that I didn't know who she was. Offered to buy me some corn on the cob (sale at Albertson's). Nice of her.

I guess all the wrangling came out that they can't poke holes in my paperwork. Goody. So now I have enough income for this month to cover all my bills and keep me going till month's end. Very unusual for me. Things may be tenuous but at least I'm profiting money-wise. I'll accept that as a win.

Also found someone in the area (through our local Next Door Neighborhood) website where the police monitor and all of us can give info on crimes, or just notices about other things, that a lady is looking for a 'duplex, or 2 bedroom house by month's end. If this crew suddenly bolts, I might already have someone I can interview. I've seen her walking up our street for a few weeks now and recognized her immediately from the photo on the website. Interesting gal. She must be losing her current rental. Says she can pay X amount which is very good. We shall see if this pans out ....if.

Off to spy on everyone again. I'm doing less of that now. Things have calmed down a lot. Wheeeee!

This sounds promising Sorta.

Good job, Sorta!

I think the energy and prayers wore off.

Yesterday, I was greeted at my back gate by 2 of my tenants (mom and the long time resident son). She was poking son in the ribs and saying, 'you tell her'. Never a good sign.

Short version is they AGAIN wanted to do away with, or change the amount due for the 'new' son living there. I'd arranged it so he pays 100 a week and can move anytime. He isn't happy, so he sends the other brother and now his mom up to plead his case. I'm calling the new son Mr. Big because of his attitude.

So after a lot of back and forth saying Mr. Big is poor, didn't immigrate here with ANY money at all, only now works part time for WalMart (he got that job in less than a week). They now want to offer 75 a week or even better nothing until things 'get better'. I stood firm. No changing. I told them either HE pays what was agreed or he moves out. (At this point the son said, "we will pay it.")

I mentioned the '3 day pay or quit notice', which is the legal first step in getting out someone who isn't paying. The mom panicked. She thought I was kicking them all out and she only had 3 days to move. I cleared that up, but she still was very upset. I guess Mr. Big thinks he is running the show there and is trying to run MY show too. Not gonna happen.

So in the middle of my explanations of what is, what was, what will be, mom pipes up with, 'Our screens need repair'. That one threw me for a second. Had nothing to do with the current conversation. I asked them to bring me the damaged screens and I would fix them. Mom left in tears, sobbing down the driveway. I felt bad about the 'money' issue, but as I explained to her and the son, NOBODY can live anywhere for FREE. Son stayed to chat more. He seems to understand, and I get the impression that he and the 'new' brother do not get along at all. I am predicting a full-blown argument between them sometime soon. I can feel it coming.

So 15 minutes later, son comes up with 6 huge aluminum framed screens, and I spend the next 3 hours tearing out the old, rotted screen (was horrible and smelled like smoke and looked all brown even though they were gray). They really needed fixing and I still wonder why they waited so long to tell me. They really were in shreds around the edges and the screen was nothing but fibers. I think they just were thinking of things that needed 'repair' to justify some of the extra 'rent' for Mr. Big. They really should tell me sooner when things need attention. Little problems always turn into big ones with them costing me more in the long run.

I was happy to improve the screens and installed heavy duty, animal proof, black, thick screening. Looks great now and maybe in a few days, my fingers, hand, arm, back, neck, legs and every other body part will recover from the ordeal. Still have a numb finger from trying to jam thick screening into a groove that was made for thin screen. Still, looks great, I'm happy with the results.

So then after I deliver the screens, 15 minutes later, the son is at my back gate again. I have no idea what's going to happen this time. BUT he hands me the 100 and I give him the receipt and he starts another conversation about 'I think I should trim my tree over the patio." ??? I guess it does need trimming, but not immediately. We chat about it, about rain maybe making it grow, about little things, and why he thinks the 'pole trimmer' that I provided to them is missing. Ummmmm. He can't find it, thinks he loaned it to his cousin and will have to check. Fun times. Not my problem. He was being so chatty I had trouble because he never says more than a few words in all these years, and NOW he's the one who is understanding and communicating everything I need to know.

Something good is coming out of all this mess. Also found out the 'wife' who went for a visit to the Daughter's in Kentucky, 2 weeks ago now, is still there and will be coming back 'sometime'. Always a vague answer as to times and dates. Seems the daughter and son-in-law live in military housing and I don't think they can move in someone FREE for any length of time. I may be wrong, but in Calif. military provides for a 'guest house' for short term visits.

For some reason, Mr. Big thinks he is entitled to live free here? Son understands, mom now understands, but I think Mr. Big is bullying them all. I said that they have so many relatives living nearby that Mr. Big could live with one of them and mom, hung her head and said that nobody wants him. Uhhuh. I know why. He's obnoxious and overbearing. I really feel terrible for the family. 27 years my friends and neighbors, 17 years my tenants and now Mr. Big arrives and changes the entire happy atmosphere.

Don't know where we are going, but at least he's paid up for another week. Maybe he will come up for a chat (himself) as I suggested that he do instead of sending everyone else. Don't want to talk to him, but will if he approaches. After all, legally now, he is my tenant and entitled to all the 'perks'. What fun.

Also,because I was feeling sad for all of them, agreed to let them have a yard sale. Forbidden in the rental agreement, way too much traffic to be in a one-way drive//parking area since they are behind my house, off street, about 100 feet back. So when mom asked politely I told her of course, and that she can use my front yard (awesome yard sale location). I told the son where to get the Permit and made sure he could do that. So now I'm committed to chaos in my front yard for maybe 2 weekends and tons of 'stuff' all over my porch, but hey, it's a way for them to make some extra money, and that will help everyone. I'm willing to help any way I can except for giving Mr. Big FREE lodging, free water, free electric, etc. Don't know where his head is. I have some ideas but I won't elaborate.

Be safe, Sorta! I worry about you, people can be a bit crazy.

Ana

Good job on standing firm. I think you hit it on the head. Sounds like he is used to bullying folks around.

Sorta.

Today was a biggie day. It was the first Monday that I hadn't received my 'rent' from Mr. Big. Usually the other son (long time resident) was bringing it up a day early (sometimes 2 days). So when no money last night, I worried that they thought the once a week payment was limited to FOUR weeks a month. Actually it amounts in some months to 5 payments and this was the first test of that.

I was all ready with a copy of the 'agreement' which Mr. Big practically tore up (rumpled it so much it was just a mess). He never signed it and doesn't intend to, but since he's paying and getting receipts that clearly state 'weekly rent', I'm in the clear legally.

So I waited and happily, the other son, came up early with this week's payment. Hooray! Now I know we are on track. I also managed to get more information from him about his brother and how 'unable' he is to make up his mind about where to live and now especially what he wants to do about his job with Wally World. Seems Mr. Big thinks he's too important to work for what the son said was minimal pay. So he explained to me that he told his brother that he 'has to get used to America and how things are done here'. I'm so proud of this resident who I have known for 27 years. He's actually communicating and trying to be the 'peacemaker' for the family. So nice.

So we wait, we see what Mr. Big will do next. He's making reasonable money for part time work and definitely enough to cover the weekly rent plus lots left over to buy all the new clothes he's sporting. Good for him. Just hope he doesn't anger his co-workers and bosses since he's on 'evaluation' for 30 days and then will be hired for full-time. I hope it works out for him. Everyone deserves to be happy and support themselves.

Now I'm off to make up more 'receipts' for the coming weeks. I didn't want to get ahead of myself IF he was going to foul up the routine.

Again, the prayers and energy from all of you is really helping. I can FEEL it.

Sorta

I was just wondering about this, and yippee, you posted. Hope it continues to run smoothly.

Well, after getting the 'rent' on time each Monday, delivered by the long-time resident brother, today was an interesting 'encounter' with Mr. Big.

I have been avoiding contact with him, don't want to see him, he's a bully and not a nice guy. He's also pretty dumb to deliberately anger the Landlord!

So today, after all this avoidance, it happened. I walked by the house, which is between mine and my back tenant/friend's house. So all was good on the way down. But on the way back, Mr. Big was sitting on the patio, working on his bicycle. He looked up directly at me (I was about 10 feet away in the driveway) so I said, "Good Morning". He stared for a short moment and then went back to fixing his bike. Ha. So now I know. He intends not to talk to me, acknowledge me, etc. GOOD!

Now I've got 2 people in my neighborhood who are 'shunning' me. How nice. I wonder how many more I can round up to do the same?

Well at least the neighborhood will be quiet.

Silence is golden!