I've been pretty absent here for awhile from the stress and time of dealing with evicting a Tenant who just won't pay the rent since February and won't leave no matter what. She's a 'serial' squatter I found after finally finding 6 evictions before me. Wish I had know this before I rented to her.

I have never evicted anyone butI finally after 2 months of excuses and feeling sorry for her (as she said she was trying to find another place) filed for a formal eviction with the court and it's been 'heck' ever since. I am going back and forth on the trolley to central court (almost 2 hours a day) for paper filing and record researching.

Her latest tactic was to file with the court that the house was uninhabitable due to MOLD. Yeah, When I heard that (5 months after she never said a thing) I panicked and immediately made an appointment with her to inspect and clear the problem. She put me off twice but I finally got in and found NO mold except for some little spots in her tub area not due to anything other than not cleaning. I told her my findings and took pictures, but she insists there is mold.

I had to file for a court hearing with a judge to settle the lawsuit, but she counter-filed for a JURY trial. Since I can't afford a lawyer (she's not paying me since Feb), and that was almost 1/2 my income, I am seriously in deep trouble. I will have to represent myself, choose jurors, etc. Just as if I were a lawyer. She's determined to do everything she can to stay here FREE for as long as she can and as she put it "I know just how long I can stay!" She sure does. Six evictions with the same excuses and the courts allow her extensions for everything allowable (she knows everything to delay the final day).

Please pray for me and pray for her that she will somehow realize what she is doing to a totally innocent and good person. Court is Monday, but it will probably just be rescheduled to a later date (usually 2-4 weeks) because of her filing for that Jury trial.

She gets free lawyer and no costs, I can't afford a lawyer no matter how much I try, so I get me alone against what feels like an impossible task. I am behind on my mortgage by almost 4 months, I have not much food in the house, have lost 25 pounds since this started, and am so depressed I can hardly function sometimes. I'm NOT giving up. I just need some good GB strength to get me through this.

Thanks for whatever positive energy you can spare.

I am so very sorry to hear this Sorta. What a tragic turn of events. I do believe you can find a pro bono attorney based on your situation. Have you checked all available here?

Here is a good resource too.

I will send positive thoughts to you!

Ana

Oh my gosh, Sorta, I am so very sorry to hear this. What a horrendous situation. Will be praying for you. We have missed you!

Oh my goodness SortaB...sending Positive Thoughts and prayers your way!

Sending you some positive thoughts Sorta. Good luck and try to stay well. You can't do anything if you get sick from stress and not eating.

I was going to suggest looking into some possibilities such as Ana suggested. Your situation is terribly stressful, and I am sending you positive thoughts.

i am sending positive thoughts also, hope it works out.

Any help from this website??

http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Access-to-Justice/Pro-Bono

Check out the places that Ana & Draclvr suggested. It is good advice. In the meantime thoughts & prayers are going out to you.

Sorta I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. My brother has rentals, and has told me some of his horror stories.

I hope things work in your favor soon.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.


joe

Sorta, Positive thoughts and Prayers headed your way. I am so very sorry you are having to deal with this, Hugs.

You would think any judge worth a lick could see her six past evictions and know what she is up to.

Good luck Sorta. We are all praying that you get justice.

Thanks for the prayers and thoughts guys! And thanks for the legal help stuff. I've already tried getting Legal Aid to help me. They told me they only help TENANTS. Yeah, that was really hurtful. I've also contacted 7 different attorneys in my area and all of them are asking for at least $1500.00 up front before they will consider taking the case. There is practically no profit from Unlawful Detainer cases (evictions) because the tenant usually doesn't pay anything ever that is owed and the lawyer won't get the money except from me and I don't have it to give because the tenant isn't paying. Catch 22. I tried asking several about pro bono and they aren't interested. Big mess. I'm going to court tomorrow, don't know what will happen as the defendant counter filed for a jury trial after I filed for a judge trial and have the date tomorrow. BUT the judge has yet to sign the OK for the jury trial my tenant has requested. Don't know what will happen tomorrow. Maybe just a brief, 'we are rescheduling for a month from now for a jury trial'. Could happen. I'm scared. I'm trying to prepare for a 'trial' with all my evidence IF it goes on as scheduled tomorrow morning. Everything is a guessing game and what my tenant will do next to hurt me as much as possible. I'm trying to remain calm, cool collected, but am not doing very well. She will do everything in her power to stay in my house, without paying a dime, until the Sheriff drags her out kicking and screaming. She's done it 6 times already since 2008. Just a big big mess!

Just to give an example, these are 2 emails from her yesterday. "Good morning, I was wondering if I could show you all the paperwork of me signing a lease to move into a house, would you stop the court hearing?" That was the first one in the morning. I didn't believe a word of it, since she lies like crazy about everything. IF she had a lease, she would have brought it up to show me and solved everything without dangling the carrot. THEN, when I didn't respond to the email in 3 hours (I really was busy preparing for court), she wrote this: "It's fine, you don't have to answer. I got it all taken care of. You have your evidence and I got mine and also our witnesses. I tried to come to an agreement but you don't want to so now I have to do what I got to do." How quickly she flares up when you ignore her. Not a nice person. Driving me nuts. I'm sure she has several friends willing to lie for her. I have no one but me and am hoping the judge will see right through her lies.

Keep those prayers and good thoughts coming. Thanks again for legal remedies, but around here, the attorneys want big bucks for everything. Landlords are not given any help because I guess everyone thinks we are all rich and don't deserve anything. Wish I could just pay my bills. Sigh.

So, the pro bono lawyers I linked to aren't interested either? That's terrible. What does this lady think will happen if the bank forecloses on you because of her? Does she think the bank will let her live there for free? She may think she's clever, but is really shooting herself in the foot. I hope her history alone will do the trick. Don't suppose there's any possibility of contacting any of her previous landlords who went through the same thing with her?

Forgive me if this has already been suggested, but when my daughter had an issue with a landlord, it was suggested she contact a law school. Students can often provide advice without charge. Of course, this was in Illinois. She told the landlord exactly what the law said, and he reimbursed her for possessions he had removed from her apartment before her lease was up. She had already moved most of her stuff, but not all. The landlord took what was left in the apartment. He was required by law to reimburse her for a certain amount, which he did.

What a mess you have on your hands, Sorta. But you have the truth on your side. Hopefully a judge will see it your way.

We're all behind you, Sorta Blonde. And wishing you the very best outcome !!

Sorta hopefully the judge will not sign her request for a jury trial. It will cost the court a lot of time and money, and with dockets so backed up I would think he would deny her request. Hope you get to tell the judge about her previous eviction. As Ana suggested you might try and contact her previous Landlords. Sending prayers to help you thru this difficult time.

Sending prayers your way.

Sorta- Prayers that all works out well for you, thats why I sold my house... I now live in a co-op and Rentals free .... dont need any hassels at 70 .... Hoping all works out for you whatever you see fit to do ..... peope dont understand when you take in a Friend .....whoever ....and they dont pay after a year they cant be "Kicked out" because they have whats called today SQUATTER -RIGHTS .....so to you all-... Please be very careful! ..... I know because it happened years ago to amy friend Patricia ...and that taught me what to do and what Not to do! so ....Be careful you all

Every state is different, and some states favor the landlord and some states favor the tenant. However, the non payment for rent matter is not tied to the mold issue. The judge should/would evict the tenant based on non payment. The judge would tell the tenant, " Your claim on mold is another issue for another day in court".
The only thing I would say to this woman is to make sure she brings to court the documentation that the tenant from hell has done this previously. 6 times! I think this would matter to a judge or a jury.
I would have to see it to believe that a judge would allow her to stay and not pay rent, regardless of the complaints of mold. Without proof of damages from the tenant, the claim about mold is just a story, and the judge knows this.
I would file a claim in small claims court against the woman for rent and damages, even though she will probably not recover any money from the dirt bag. The Court should throw the case out because the woman is a serial harassment menace.

I hope you are 200% correct, mbday!

Thanks to all my GB friends for the massive positive help and prayers. This is almost over. We went to court today for a Judge trial, despite her counter filing for a JURY trial. The Judge decided that she would GRANT the JURY trial (it's the law and I agreed figuring we could come back in 2 weeks or so and have another delay, typical for her, she uses every out she can file) BUT it would be TODAY! Yup, how nice, I was ready even if I didn't have a lawyer (nor did she and no real evidence EXCEPT, she brought up everything she could. She was asked if she would like the JURY trial and she thought a minute and decided she couldn't do it today, citing her two sons at home. They are totally independent. Go in and out without her all day and night. Good try. So her only choice was to continue the Judge trial or come back way later. She chose to continue. Bad choice for her. Good for me, I didn't want to drag this out any more time and loss of income.

So we continued and answered tons of questions and the Judge looked at her evidence which turned out to be cell phone pictures of every little flaw in the paint and baseboards, etc. This is a 1951 house in reasonable shape, not pristine. The main claim on her answer to the eviction was MOLD. Scared me. AND despite her efforts (she had a video of her using a screwdriver to pry apart the entire window sill edge to expose what she claimed was mold). She admitted to me she did it AFTER I was down there looking for the mold she accused me of allowing. It was just 1951 rotten wood around the window frame. The Judge understood old houses. Now I have to fix her damage. The judge spent a lot of time off the bench looking at things dunno what but I did mention a pattern of evictions (6 now 7) maybe those. And the final ruling, citing NO real evidence of mold None, and that she signed the Lease AFTER doing a walk-through and seeing everything ,was to rule in MY favor. I am so thrilled.She also tried leaking pipes under the sink (gotta tell me those things so I can fix them!) and kept talking about the wet carpet until the Judge said, "Did you inform the Landlord about the leak and did she fix it?" Yes your honor. End of that argument.

Hate that she is going through this, but it's not my fault she doesn't pay her bills. I was also granted $3300.00 of 2 months back rent (which of course I will never see) and she was told to get any important things out of the house in the next 2 weeks because the Sheriff would be coming to change the locks. I know it will be much longer since she files ex parte motions, and other ways to delay the eviction day, but the end is in sight. I'll be so glad when she's gone and I can fix the house again and rent it to someone who understands you have to pay to stay. Oh yes.

Thanks for the positive energy, I could feel it from all my friends and it really helped.

Sorta, that is great news! Hang in there

thank goodness! I was worried about this case of yours. I hate sleezeballs.

i am glad it work out.

So glad that things went in your favor.

Awesome!! So happy to hear that, Sorta!

Great to hear some good news, Sorta! Whew!

Oh, I am jumping for joy and so relieved. I've been thinking about you all day! I had a feeling any competent judge would see through her BS, but what a relief to have it really happen. As you say, the end is in sight. This individual is a con artist and a thief. I wouldn't feel any sympathy for her at all. You gave her every chance to be a decent person and renter and she chose to be a cheater. So be it.

VERY pleased good sense won out, Sorta Blonde !! And I hope you soon get "back to normal" now

Great news Sorta!

Wonderful news, I will send positive thoughts she is out sooner than later.

Sorta Glad everything got resolved, like Dad used to say ...you dont have a Job you aint livin here ...me yes Job i had after I graduated found job ...parents were always there for me but I found them

Finally one for the good guys.

Update on events. Despite me having no lawyer and not being able to get one anywhere, any way (tried everything I could free, low cost, payment plan) I managed to win the case and as of yesterday, the Writ of Possession was issued, so it's in the Sheriff's hands now for the actual Eviction to take place sometime in the next 2 weeks. They are supposed to send me a letter telling me the day (which I am instructed to keep a secret) and then the day before, they will call me with the actual time. Ugh. Don't like all this stuff. Feel bad for the tenant and her kids too despite all her sneaky stuff and denying me my income which has put me in grave financial danger.

She still has 2 chances to stall the final day, by appealing the decision (probably won't win that) and by asking for a 'stay' which will keep her here up to a month over what should be. I'm sure she will try both or something new. She's determined to stay here, without paying, foever. Really, not kidding, there is something terribly wrong with her. Didn't notice it at first, but day by day, I see behaviors that are worrying. Especially got a good lesson at court. Wow. She's really thinking this is all MY fault. Yes.

So I'm just waiting for her to do something, or to get the letter and then wait wait wait. The Sheriff on the 'day' will actually go into the house, remove (forcefully if necessary) anyone who is inside, escort them out, give them a very short time to gather important stuff, and then stand by while I change locks or I think they might put a 'lockbox' on for me. Then I see if she tries to get back in and call them immediately. If she or anyone tries to get back in, they will be arrested. Wow.

Spoke to the info clerk at the courthouse yesterday and he said, "You did Good!" when I told him I did all this without a lawyer. Nice of him, but yeah, I did despite the confusion and mounds of paperwork/forms that had to be perfect. I am now an 'expert'. Ha. Anyone need advice? I NEVER want to do this again, ever ever ever.

I'll let you all know when it's finally finlly over and she's gone. Might be a few weeks or more, but it's going to happen. Hooray!

Let's hope "eviction day" will be the last you see of her and the end of all the mess for you, Sorta Blonde

I wonder how long it will be before her next "victim." The woman is more than a bubble off...

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers SortaB

So, today she called an emergency Ex Parte hearing. Yeah. She's getting advice from somewhere on all the things she can do to hold up the eviction. Well today didn't go well for her. I had to go to 'defend' myself. Was a long day, but I got there way early and watched some of the other Ex Parte cases. Turns out WE got the same Judge that found in my favor on the Eviction trial. Nice. Silly Tenant was woefully unprepared again. I tried to tell her earlier that IF she was granted more time before the final lockout by the Sheriff, that she would have to pay a daily rate of rent for that time. She couldn't come up with any money of course and babbled a lot. However, just before our case was called, she bolted from the courtroom and the Bailiff had to go find her. Then he escorted her back in and she loudly protested and made rude comments. The Judge was NOT amused. Wow, I hoped she would self destruct and she did. Bailiff remember me from last Monday's trial and it was fun. Judge told Tenant to go ask a lawyer about what she should be doing. When I was asked if I would grant her more time, I replied, ABSOLUTELY NOT. Yup. Practically yelled it. I think I heard an audible gasp from the spectators. Ha. Why grant her more time when I know she would not pay anyway. She of course didn't know that you have to pay right now for the privilege. Yup, tried to school her earlier on the law, but she never listens. I feel sorry for her, but not enough to let her ruin my finances and cause me emotional grief anymore. So while we were in court, the neighbor saw the Sheriff come to try to serve the eviction notice. Darn. Maybe tomorrow. After that, it's FIVE days till lockout. She will probably pull another court hearing on me, but I don't care. She will be gone gone gone. ahhhhhhh. Gotta get my life back.

Good luck Sorta. I hope you'll be rid of her and be able to find a good tenant quickly.

Sounds like things are getting real for her and she had quite the meltdown in court. She seems to think she can "use" people such as yourself, but may not have gotten the message that trying to "use" the courts never ends well.

I think she's not done yet with all her attempts to not move. Found out that while we were in court (her ex parte attempt to stall) on Tuesday, that the Sheriff did indeed POST the eviction notice on her front and back doors. She' got home 15 min before me from the Courthouse. I missed the first trolley, she caught it. So when I got home and the neighbor said a Sheriff was at the house, I reviewed my security footage and sure enough, there he was. So I called the Sheriff's Civil Office (they are soooo nice) and they said yes, they posted the notices. No notices seen by me, so she must have ripped them off immediately before I got home. She has till the 15th to get out. No so sure she isn't trying another ploy so I'm watching and waiting and calling the courts to see if she's scheduled another 'secret' meeting. If I don't appear, she just might win. She's supposed to advise me WHEN I need to appear but right now, she's probably going to not do that and I won't know. Sneaky.

This morning...UGH! She was out from 7 pm last night until 2:45 this morning. Her usual stuff. THEN again, she was up and out at 5:45 am to somewhere for 20 minutes. Woke me up with the driveway alarms and I just caught her going out. Had to get up. Going to be very very tired all day. At least I know she's plotting. Either she went to buy 'something' from the guys at the Laundromat or she's been on the payphone at the Liquor Store next door. Dunno. Can't figure out WHY she gets in and then out no sleep??? I can guess why but can't say.

Off to local courthouse in a few to stand in line for an hour or so to file papers and then ask the Sheriff Civil guy for a copy of the notice that she destroyed so I can keep it for my records. Gah. OH and the other gal who showed up at her house the day we were in court (in a black outfit looking like the grim reaper with the huge hood and all) came back yesterday at 7:30 am and was there for 10 minutes. Asked the Sheriff guy and he said 'sometimes we use outside process servers for cases that are not Evictions'. He was hinting that she got served with another case, probably nothing to do with me. Ohhhhhh. Trouble follows trouble.

Hoping for the best, but it's never over till it's over. Running running. Thanks again for good thoughts for me, it's really helping me cope!

I hope you're able to get rid of her soon, and that you can find a decent tenant.

so do i.

Sorta, hope this travesty is on it's last legs.

Sorta, I have to ask.... is she finally gone? I am so hoping for your sake. I have thought about this many times since you posted this and have been worried that she is going to give you a stroke or an ulcer!

I know, mbady! I check here multiple times a day to see if there is an update!

Hopefully no news is good news.

I'm getting worried about you Sorta Blonde...did everything work out OK.

You had a lot of good thoughts winging your way, lets hope they worked?????

yes, she definitely had a lot of good thoughts. I have been really worried that this tenant from hell would pull something more. Please, an update!

Sooo the update finally on why I've not been around. SHE definitely pulled another clever stalling technique. Sheriff was all ready to do the lockout and instead they called me to advise that SHE had filed some paperwork for her disabled son (27 yrs). I had made a very bad decision early on in the process and did not list him on the complaint, did not sue him. How can you sue a disabled mentally guy who isn't even a signer to the agreement? I considered him like the minor kid and never thought of doing a lawsuit against a person who the mom had told me could NOT sign any documents. and I thought he might not be capable of knowing what was happening.

In any case, the Sheriff gave me a head's up on what was happening and gave me a 2 hour head start to get to the courthouse and file for an Ex Parte meeting. (Emergency hearing). I did that and told the Mom to be sure to bring her son (it was HIS name on the paperwork). He (with mom's assistance) had signed what's called a "Claim to Possession". My fault for not suing him in the first place. Now it's a big mess. HE is claiming rights to stay in the house even though mom and other son were due to be locked out. So I got him to the hearing I scheduled so the Judge would be able to see that he was indeed disabled and under his mom's care. Was very obvious when mom had to prompt him to say his name and to spell first and last. I felt very bad for the guy. He should never have been involved in this at all.

Then after we did that little bit, we had another real hearing scheduled for last Wednesday to determine if his 'claim' was valid. Instead of the hearing, Mom filed a 'motion' to be his Guardian Ad Litem. Legal term for her being allowed to speak for him and him not having to testify (or maybe not even be there). DARN. She is obviously being coached by a lawyer despite having none listed on the complaint. Very sneaky. She would never have known how to cancel a meeting by doing that motion bit. Sooooo the Judge granted her motion and delayed the meeting for TWO MORE WEEKS. Yeah. I'm forced to support a family of 3 for another 2 weeks without any compensation and back rent owed of over 4500 bucks now. And I still have to pay the water and trash bills. Water was included (didn't know she would wash every other day!) And trash, she managed to put in her name on Dec 1 and NEVER paid a cent, causing the city to advise me they would put a lien on my property if the total bill (almost 200 bucks) wasn't paid immediately. Yeah, that one got me. So I changed the trash back to my name so there would be no chance of that happening. More for me to pay.

So now I wait for June 3 to have the next and hopefully the last hearing on this eviction. Can't believe how she keeps one step ahead and keeps me from getting my house back and doesn't have to ever pay a penny. I have a judgment of 3300 against her but I will never collect. Nope.

AND I'm almost positive she has that legal aid lawyer assisting her at every turn. I think he was actually in the courtroom watching us testify and is probably plotting the next big move to thwart my efforts. Only guessed this was happening when I saw 3 lawyers going up the escalator to the courtroom and heard one of them say HER name to another one. Yeah, he was going to consult with her. I think they are being very covert and doing it by phone since she sat outside the courtroom until the Baliff went out to get her. She was on her phone the entire time. Very not fair when she gets help and I am all alone because I have zero money to hire a lawyer and nobody will do it for free for Landlords.

Big mess all around. Can't sleep, lost 30 lbs since December (looking GOOD) it's a perk of all this stress and no time to eat. That's the only up side. I'll update everyone after June 3 as to what I have to do next. Hopefully it will be just wait for the Sheriff to arrive but I'm not counting on it given all that's already happened. Terrible...just terrible and I'm operating on half my income now, with nothing left after I pay my credit and utility bills. Thank goodness my mortgage holder is being very understanding or I would already be losing my entire property including my own house that I've lived in for 40 years. I think SHE would love that. Seems to have a vendetta against me for daring to ask her to leave for not paying rent. Big Sigh.

I'm sorry to hear this is still ongoing SortaBlonde

This makes no sense at all

I assume you are presenting the fact to the judge that this lady has not paid rent for two ... gosh is it three months now?

I wish you knew someone in the legal field to help you...

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers


PS ... I assume you have tried Legal Aid & Pro Bono lawyers??

I'm not sure how she can legally (or morally) use her son that way if he is as bad as you say.

I had a feeling she had pulled out something at the last minute. I'm still failing to understand how the judge can consider that you are expected to take on this woman as a charity case and provide her with free rent... She obviously feels that you are obligated to support her and her family. Just don't get it.

Thanks for thinking of me everyone. Still needing massive good energy for things to come. As for Pro Bono and Legal Aid. I sadly have discovered that NOBODY wants to do Pro Bono work for Landlords (only for Tenants). I personally called 8 different lawyers (some referred by Lawyer's referral service). No money in recovery from non-paying tenants. And of course everyone thinks that Landlords are RICH. Yeah, really they do. Because I managed to fall into a property that I rented for 20 years and then was offered at a very good time at a very good price, I became an Instant Landlord. Never wanted to be a Landlord. I never make a profit at the end of the year because I keep my rentals in great shape and don't overcharge. I like happy, nice tenants. Things were fine until this gal decided to embark on a campaign to ruin me emotionally and financially.

Legal Aid will not help Landlords. I was sooo surprised at that one. They will do everything they can for Tenants, but won't help me. I tried the legal aid clinics at the main courthouse and at the local one nearer me. They will hardly talk to you when you reveal you are a Landlord. It's shocking how they 'turn' on you when you say 'landlord'. Gads, I felt so rebuked. Called the MAIN Legal Aid Society for San Diego County and first question was, "are you a tenant or a landlord". Guess what they said after I said Landlord. "Sorry, we don't help Landlord's" Just like that period and when I asked where I could get help, they told me to hire a lawyer. Thanks a bunch.

I have no idea why she thinks I am a Social Service Agency that should support her and two grown boys. Not sure why the courts feel that way too since I've had limited success. Started this all in January when my Tenant said 'I loaned the rent money to a friend and she didn't pay it back' I almost fell over. Told her to get the money or else. Sent her the appropriate 3 day notice and HELPED her get more money from the relocation company by printing off the documents she needed to fax to them. Geez. I actually helped her and look what she's doing to me! But I did get the January payment, late. Then we had a BIG discussion about being sure February's rent was on time, etc. She assured me there would be no further problems. Then on Feb 1, nothing, Feb 2, I contacted her and got another huge mass of excuses. Nothing made sense. So another notice to her, then got her to voluntary send me a 30 day quit herself. Of course she lied and never intended to go. From there, more notices from me, and EXCUSE after excuse from her about how she couldn't find a place, had bad credit, almost got approved, needed a cosigner, had other interviews...on and on and on. Until I finally got the message and filed formal eviction on her on April 8. THEN it got worse. I should have filed right after January's payment was late. I could have, it's legal and it's in my contract. I was being way too forgiving and understanding.

She's really loving MY house and thinks it's hers. Making no effort to pack, condense, move. In fact early last week, she had ATT&T there again installing something extra for over 6 hours of the guy's time. Wonder what it was. Probably the $10.00 internet offer with free everything. She's not gonna leave until she is dragged out.

AND using her handicapped son as a weapon is really making me mad. It's working well, and whatever sneaky lawyer (not all lawyers are bad, don't take it wrong) is advising her how to stall the eviction time after time. I just want my house back so I can start making money again. She is doing everything she can to not let me survive and walks around like she hasn't a care in the world. Driving me nuts. Sometimes I just wanna....well you know...fill in your own...get even method here_____________________.

Awww, Sorta, so sorry this nightmare has been going on for so long. Hugs

Yeah, L4L told me you tried the Pro Bono route earlier only to find out they normally do not help landlords ... wow, our legal system has really gotten out of balance in this arena.

I'm still shocked the judge expects you to give free rent ... that does not make any sense

What a load of legal BS. It is only a matter of time until the Karma Wheel rolls over her.

So sorry to hear that Sorta. Sending positive thoughts!

So sorry to hear that Sorta. Sending positive thoughts!, hope you get this straight out.

What a shocking situation !!
I am so sorry to hear it's still going on and send my very best to you, Sorta Blond

Unbelievable!!! So sorry you are still going thru this!

Wish I was a lawyer. I'd offer my services FREE to any deserving Landlord (like me) who really is being taken advantage of by a tenant. Met several others in this process who are going through similar things and losing income while the tenant lives free for months and months. The law allows it and the Judge is bound by the law. Hate going to court when I know that the Tenant is going to win another battle. Really hate it that SHE is getting covert help from legal aid lawyers who are guiding her at every step. I am going to find the one who told her to file that 'motion' and confront him if I can. At least I can tell him I know what's going on. I'm doing this all on my own (yep, stupid but necessary). No money, can't borrow, can't squeeze out anything from my meager income without her rent. Eventually I will get my house back. Just have no idea when. I'm trying to just listen to the Judge, interject when I can about the TRUTH and hoping she see's the Tenant for what she is. A liar and cheat and a person with no conscience. Every day I have to watch her walking out the driveway to go shopping and bringing back bags and bags (usually fast food) while I am trying to stretch 7 bucks I have left for a full week before my tiny retirement check hits the bank. So sad in many ways. Court is really enlightening when it comes to pleading my case. I'm the plaintiff, but I am treated more like the defendant each time. Pray for me and the Judge that my June 3 hearing ends all this mess and I get my house back and see the last of the evil tenant. Don't know what else to do and it's depressing.

Keep smiling

So sorry to hear your problems are still on going....it seems like the laws bend over backwards to "protect" the tenants like they do with criminals nowadays...

Hopefully some judge with common sense will put this right soon.

Until then our thoughts are with you.

so do i.

I suppose you couldn’t do this now, but maybe when this is all over and done with you should consider selling the rental house. You’re so far in the hole right now that I doubt you could recoup your losses by continuing to rent it. jmo Best of luck with the current situation. Sure seems totally unfair.

Ahhh Sparkle, good thoughts there, only problem is my rental(s) 2 of them side by side are ON my 3 house property. I live in one and the other two I rent out. Can't split the property easily since it's all one 'parcel'. Thought of that awhile back but who knows, maybe the city could come up with something. AND the 3 houses are all on ONE water line AND the sewer line is joined with mine. Big mess of intertwining when the original owner of my house build the 2 rentals and avoided lots of building permit stuff and taxes I guess. All legal, just combined a lot of stuff. The electrical boxes are on my wall and wires run through my attic crawl space. Really complicated. All legal and safe (I had everything inspected) but very hard to split if I could I'd get rid of them in a heartbeat. Just have to get this mess straightened out with this evil tenant who just has no conscience and is out to ruin my life. Terrible person and she's using her mentally disabled son as a weapon for the latest round of fun. Don't know what the Judge will do on June 3 but I'm ready for anything. Still can't understand how someone can just hold your house hostage, not pay a dime and all the while you have to keep providing free water/trash/etc. Laws gotta change.

Sorta I feel so bad for you and wish there was a way I could help.

I don't suppose there's a possibility you could have her water or electricity cut off.


joe

How I wish Joe. It's totally illegal to do ANYTHING to a bad tenant. Can't shut off anything, have to keep the house in good repair, fix things etc. even if they aren't paying. California law is really tough. Can't intimidate them, make noise to annoy them, etc. I'm even afraid to walk past the house to get to my other tenant's house and my empty back lot that needs mowing, etc. for fear she will claim I'm spying on her or something. Not a good situation, but I would LOVE to do something to her. Yeah...dream of all sorts of stuff...

i am sorry about this, i guess you got a corrupt judge who is letting her do this, and she hire a corrupt lawyer, who is helping her do this, again i am sorry, sending positive thoughts.

As I said before, I fail to see why you are expected to take her on as a charity case against your will and to your great detriment.

What about going to the media Sorta, let them know what this tenant is pulling & that she is putting you in financial jeopardy.

I thought of that too Judith, but with her next hearing on June third I wondered if it would harm in any way-----maybe the judge wouldn't be too happy.

Doreen

I love all the ideas for solving this mess! Unfortunately, the laws that protect Tenants are really biased. Landlords have a bad reputation for being unfair. I know some are, but I'm not one of them. Laws protect equally and the Judge has to follow all laws on her rulings and what she allows. My Tenant has the help of a legal aid lawyer who is advising her covertly. I'm going to spot him the next time I see her in court on Monday. I know she is getting really good 'get your landlord' advice because she isn't savvy enough to be filing all this motion/hearing/ad litem stuff on her own. I could hire my own lawyer, BUT she's forced me into financial ruin. I'm just able to pay all credit/utility bills with about 100 or less left over each month for food and everything else. I am letting the mortgage remain unpaid and so far the lender (private) is working with me because they know the situation with this tenant is eventually going to be solved and they will be paid when I get a new renter.

Horrible part is NOT knowing what the next hearing will bring. I am depressed then hopeful, then back down to rock bottom endlessly. Won't know till Monday when the Judge rules one way or the other. I already got a judgment in my favor on the Mom and the minor son which included 2 months back rent (which I will never be able to collect). The adult disabled son is the current problem since she is using him as a weapon to stay longer for free. Either he is or isn't capable of renting this house on his own and she tells it both ways to suit whatever the current rulings are. I'm hoping that the Judge can (law again which she must follow) rule him incompetent to do anything alone and that Mom is indeed his guardian and makes all his choices for him. If so, he had no standing to file that last paper insisting he had rights to the rental (other than WITH his mother there). No rent paid from anyone since Jan 4 and with the new ad litem ruling, I have no idea how much longer she can stretch this out. I'll find out Monday. Her lawyer (free from legal aid) is really good at what he's doing for her. Gotta give him credit for continuing the attack on me. He knows all the little ins and outs and tells her what to do next. I've spoken to the guys in legal aid and they are very aggressive for the Tenant and won't help me at all because I'm the big bad landlord. What a nasty mess. Legal aid people are volunteers so they don't fall under any state guidelines for what they can or cannot do. They make their own rules. She automatically qualifies because of her disabled son's status. I don't qualify for anything and if I had the money I'd for sure hire the best lawyer i could.

Wish this was all over. Keep those positive thoughts coming and throw in a few for some bad karma for this evil tenant. She's busy shopping daily and taking Taxi's again and spending entire nights from 7ish to wee hours of the morning away somewhere. I'm guessing Casinos or bars to make money. Plus the drug deals out front. Worse yet, the 17 year old seems to be helping with the drug stuff. He's now making the 10 minute trips to the corner and coming back with nothing I see. Then mom seems to have something to 'give' to her friend in the very visible Chevy Van out front. Then she goes on a shopping spree again. Oh how i wish I had proof for the police. Way too complicated to get that and prove anything even if I did see her doing the selling, and did see her with the drug dealers at the laundromat etc. Wouldn't be enough for the police to arrest anyone. Sigh....hoping for an end to all this and then on to the next crisis.

This is tough to just read Sorta I can't imagine what it is like to live it.

Hi Space, it's painful and depressing. Imagine someone having you trapped and pointing a weapon at you and taunting you hour by hour day by day as to when or if they will use it. You never know what the day has in store, what terrible thing she will come up with next to thwart your efforts to get her out of your house. I have NO idea what LAW says I have to support a family of 3 for as long as they decide they want to stay. Laws are terrible and penalize the Landlord for the crime of being nice enough to rent to a deserving (so I thought) family. Who knew she would turn out to be a monster? Makes ya want to never rent again. It will maybe be all over on Monday. I'm not holding my breath though. I just have this feeling that it will just keep going and going and going....Probably just me not waking up from a nightmare??

I think you should take this story to a local news station to publicize how the local judge/court is letting a family live rent free by using the legal system.

Like KUSI News "It Ain't Right!" Their website says to Submit a tip to: itaintright@kusi.com or 858-571-FILE (3453)

Get the story on TV

Once this is finally all over, I am thinking about doing 'something' to make sure this gal never does this to another person. I'm not the first, I won't be the last, but I confirmed again yesterday, that in the month of December, she received over 49k cash, non-taxable income for her family. Her sister, received 53k for her family (they had been living together in a rented house which was purchased to be torn down for a huge low/mid income apartment building. I called the company again (nice people) and was assured that all the monies were paid (in 3 checks over a 2 week period) to my tenant. What she did with all that money from December 1-Jan 1 I will never know. Hid it? Spent it? Gambled it away? (my favorite choice), spent it on 'self medication'? I'm just waiting and trying to be optimistic about Monday's court date that nothing new happens on her part and that the Judge reinstates the lock out by the Sheriff along with her and the 2 kiddos and I get my house back. Then it's another total rehab to fix, clean, refurnish, etc. All over again. I jsut can't see how the state of California is forcing me to SUPPORT a family of 3 for the last 3 months, going on 4 now with no income. It's like a sentence has been rendered, finding me guilty of whatever and forcing me to do this. Will never understand the law.

You are being FORCED to take this woman and her kids on as a charity case with no consideration of your own finances or needs. Something is wrong with this system.

We will all be sending positive vibes your way Sorta.

Thanks guys! She's still on the attack today. After I got the judge to admonish her not to send me any more 'harassing' emails, she did it again. This time it was under the guise of something about the house which the judge said was ok to email me about. Either rent or house stuff. Soooo she starts off with she wants to meet with me about the 'housing situation'. I figured I'd better answer because if something is wrong, I need to make it right. Well, it wasn't about the house at all, it was AGAIN about her being able to spend more time here free of course. I answered a few little cryptic questions on my part and that made her mad again and she finally said she didn't 'want to have to do 'actions' against me to stay longer'. I asked what actions and she gave up. But her last email of the string was, "Sorry to tell you, but I think the termites are back again". Yeah just like that. What the heck??? Are termites now a dangerous situation? Are they hazardous to your health? Are there any houses in California that do NOT have termites? Geez....she's a piece of work. Copied it all and taking it to our 'hearing' on Monday. Hope I can get the Judge to read it and tell her again to just quit it. I consider it harassing and vindictive and a fear tactic. Very not nice tenant. Can't seem to figure her out no matter what.

She should be put on a do not rent to ever list.

I would love her on a do not rent list except I want it AFTER she's gone from my house. Yup.

She spent the entire mid-morning and afternoon playing email tag with her. This time as yesterday she's trying to convince me to make an agreement BEFORE we go to court on Monday. I'm not agreeing. I want any agreement to be made by the Judge with witnesses and recorded. We have microphones on the tables in front of us and everything is recorded. She insisted she was trying to avoid calling the City and State Farm to report me and have the house inspected for all the problems and I would have to spend a lot of money to fix all those AND I'd have to pay to have her move out during that time. I reminded her that SHE already has a judgment against her for cancelation of the lease and $3300 bucks she owes me. But for my mistake on one paper for her disabled son, the Sheriff would have removed all of them almost 2 weeks ago. Darn. My fault.

But she has now backed off on the turning me in (don't know if she actually will do it). I'm not afraid of city code enforcement. They just tell you what needs fixing, no fines and when it's fixed they come back and inspect. No biggie except the work. I always fix everything I find wrong. THEN I told her if anything was wrong, she would need to use the 'fix and deduct' law since I had NO money and can prove it with my documents. I told her to fix whatever and deduct it from the RENT she owes me. Ha. Another backpeddling by her.

Not sure if we will continue all this back and forth tonight or tomorrow, but I've got some great emails to show the judge of her threatening me with all sorts of 'actions' if I don't agree before court time to let her stay longer. She says she 'might' have a place, 'working to get the place' but it's not ready till the 20th. Yeah, Like I never heard that one before, and with the SAME date. Geez. No memory of trying that lie on me months ago.

Anyway, printing out emails for court. Might need them or not depending on what she's going to do on Monday. I'm guessing she's not been able to get that Guardian Ad Litem paperwork for her son, or thought better of it. Perhaps it would have sparked an investigation by Social Services where she gets all her 'stuff'. We shall see.

Oooo… good point there. I hadn't thought about that potential SS investigation. She is definitely sounding quite desperate to manipulate you into letting her stay longer. At this point belongings and people on the lawn might be the only outcome you can hope for. She made this bed and I have a feeling she ran into a buzzsaw with you.

Good luck tomorrow Sorta, will be thinking of you, and keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes well for you.

Doreen

Thanks again everyone for all your support. I am not sleeping well since all this happened. Prayers are gratefully accepted and all the positive energy you guys can muster for me. SHE is using every legal dirty trick in the book to stay here at my expense. Not just free house but the water and trash and electricity for the sewer pump, without which, sewage will back up into her tub then the toilet. Worse yet, the other rental (my best friend) will flood first. SHE could care less as long as she gets what she wants.

Starting Thrusday, she has continued to try to get me to come to 'an agreement' before tomorrow's hearing. I finally decided to play along and asked her for a copy of the LEASE for the new place to prove she had one this time. SHE sent me a totally messed up lease which by careful reading and looking at all the erasures, write overs, white outs, and changes, turned out to be a lease from 2016 for the place she rented just before coming here. Yeah. Really a nice piece of evidence. I probably won't be able to introduce it to the Judge but maybe, just maybe I can.

SHE still thinks I'm writing up an agreement to sign before court (on her terms of course) that will tell the Judge that she and I agree to letting her move out on the 22nd. I'm not writing or agreeing to anything but she doesn't know that yet. SHE also won't tell me the Birth Date of her younger son. He's supposed to turn 18 on June 20 (she doesn't know I know the date) but she flatly refused to give me his birth date. Yeah, that's suspicious. I'm guessing that she is going to use HIM now as another way to stay here free because if I had the agreement, which of course she is lying about once again, she would have HIM claim rights to the house being now an ADULT. Savvy gal, she knows it all. I must find a way to tell the Judge what might happen and see if there is anything I can legally do about this one.

Not happy, not looking forward to yet another hearing tomorrow, that probably will just let her stay longer and longer without paying me a dime. The law is terrible and does not protect Landlords. I feel sorry for all the other Landlords who are going through this type of thing. Sat through a lot of cases lately while biding my time at the courthouse and found that the Tenant has all the rights. Sad but true. Law protects them (as it should) but some of us Landlords are not the greedy, nasty people they portray us to be. Very very sad over all this.

Hoping tomorrow will be good news, but expecting the worst again. Don't know how I'm going to continue to pay my bills with no money coming in. All I have from retirement and a small widow's Social Security are used up on my credit debts, many of which are ones used to rehab that rental. I expected to be able to recoup some of the costs with the rent. Now I'm behind. So far, I'm not missing payments, only my mortgage and my lender is giving me a lot of leeway because of the situation. Won't last forever.

Still losing weight, but hey, being thinner is good. Feel healthier with 30 lbs gone and finding clothes fitting that were stored away. Even fit into my wedding dress! Wish it had been a weight loss not caused by stress.

Keep those prayers and good thoughts coming. 8:30 am California time is the court date for Monday.

prayers and postive thoughts on your way, hate the lawyer and judge for this.

That altered lease is good evidence of an attempt to defraud. I don’t see why the judge wouldn’t consider it. You also seem to have plenty of evidence from e-mails that she’s tried to intimidate amd manipulate you. It’s hard to understand how this can happen. Who set up these crazy laws anyway? Best of luck on Monday.

Good luck, Sorta.....Hugs!

Oh, definitely what Sparkle said - that altered lease is an attempt to defraud. She keeps digging herself a deeper hole.

Had court Monday. Made a deal with the devil herself because when she thinks she's getting her way, she agrees to stop the torment. I don't think she understands exactly what she does to people who are nice to her. Scares everyone away. Anyway, I weighed my choices on what might happen at court with the Son's claim (which mom filled out and made him sign) and I decided to go for a sure thing instead of guessing and maybe coming out worse than I was.

She and I went into court, I told her she had to apologize to the judge for putting her mentally disabled son on the complaint in an attempt to stall the move out date (which it did) and that she wanted to retract the claim. I was holding the FAKED lease she sent me over her head and said I would show it to the judge if she changed her mind at the last minute and fooled me again.

It was actually fun to see the Baliff (who knows us well by now with all the appearances) looking at us in disbelief that we were actually talking and sitting together. Had it all planned what she would say, what I would agree and THEN it wasn't the same judge! Eeeeek! She was sick and it was a man who had no idea the history of our little mess, but to her credit, my Tenant stood there and stated she wanted to retract her son's claim and that she would agree to a lock out date that we both agreed on before court. Judge asked the CLERK who actually runs the place (ha) and she coached him as to what we were doing and he asked if we both agreed and he signed the order to remove the son's complaint, extend the lock out till the 24th (even if she's out earlier I will let the Sheriff do the legal job) and that was that. Wow.

So today I went in again on the Trolley and got the copy of the court minutes and it says exactly what we agreed and in big capital letters (never saw tht before on paperwork) it said: IT IS SO ORDERED. Nice. Now we are on the court's record no matter what she might try to say. All in black and white and documented that she's being locked out period .I'm optimistic but being careful not to celebrate just yet. You never can tell what she might come up with. Consummate liar, don't think she is aware of her lies but definitely wants to get her way no matter what. if you agree with her, she won't hurt you. Yup, found that out. Hope she stays in a good mood till the END.

At this point, you do whatever you need to do to save your sanity and get your property back. But I agree... she may still try something yet. But it does sound like her legal options are at an end anyway. It's quite obvious that this woman is more than a bubble off.

Glad it went well, Sorta!!

i hopr it works.

Hope all continues to go well and she is gone by the 25th Sorta.

After it is all over it would be great if you could get your story out to the media, it might help other landlords that are going through the same thing.

I am hoping this all goes without a hitch this time. Pretty clear what the order of the court says, but my fine little tenant probably still has her own agenda. From what I've learned over the last 6 months there are some people without conscience that you might occasionally run into when you least expect it. She isn't reasonable, might have some mental problems which don't show on the surface. The biggest lesson I found is the old adage, "Don't poke the bear". She's the bear and it's sad that despite all my efforts to try to deal with her normally, it wasn't working. Can't intimidate her, can't criticize her, can't correct her, can't push her. Just have to be all nicey-nice or she goes on the attack and won't stop till she wins. Wish I could 'win' here, but I'm just hoping that she's out when she says OR the Sheriff locks her out and that she goes away and I never see her again. So creepy to deal with. Reminds me of those made for TV movies about bad Tenants. All good in the beginning and then they turn out to be psycho. I think she's one of them. Probably could write a book about what I've learned. So horribly sad and frustrating and costly. I will recover, but not until SHE is gone gone gone. I will however, keep track of the court records now that I know how to access the information and she where she lands and what new things she is up to. Has more of a criminal history than I thought too. Just finding some of those listings now. Just inherently bad.

Keep those prayers and thoughts coming. They actually help!

They are still being sent, Sorta Blonde

Awww Sorta, I'm so sorry you've had to go through all of this. She sounds a really nasty piece of work and you don't deserve all this heartache. I hope now there's light at the end of the tunnel for you and it will be all over soon.

I'm sending prayers and much love your way.

Mary

I'm still waatching her like a hawk. She's a sly one and has no morals at all. I'm reasonably sure she'd defrauding every social service agency around. Managed to get unemployment benefits after quitting a job back in November. Must have told quite a tale. Actually, she is believable, and that's why I got taken in by her. Easy to like, want to help her and then she attacks. So sad. I will not rest until I see her gone gone gone. Yesterday...yea again, she sent an email wanting to know what to say on the rental application (for the place she already said she had) when it asked her "When did you last pay rent?" Like I'm going to tell her to lie? Or sign a receipt lying myself? Nope. I told her I would gladly sign a receipt saying 'late rent payment' and sign it for today, if she would cough up some of the $3300. that the judge awarded me on the original eviction claim. Bad move on my part. Poked the bear again. I must stop doing that. She fired back some choice comments (this is after continually offering me money) and I finally told her good luck, put down whatever you think is right. No more from her since yesterday. Hope she gets somewhere to love but pity anyone who rents to her. I think she's mad because she was counting on getting her 'security' back to help her pay for the next place. Sorry, I used that for February. Maybe that ruined her plan of having some extra cash to move out. I think so. She kept mentioning it after I used it. In any case, I am anticipating more stuff happening but just don't know what. Maybe she can turn her charm/anger on a new target and just leave me alone. Praying for all to work out smoothly, but can't rest until the end.

Your best bet is to simply ignore any further communication from her. The court has issued an order and that’s that.

I have to say that I agree with Sparkle. Just ignore her, hard as that may be.

What would you do if she lists you as a reference?

OMG! A reference for that one? No way. If anyone ever calls about her I'm going to pretend to be someone else. I won't lie for her or anyone, even though I'd love to make sure she's gone. Probably just say, "she's not here right now, can I take a message?" Little white lie to keep from making a mess of things in ways I can only imagine.

So far today she's not contacted me. I am pretending to not be home because my car is in for repair. No car, no me so she will think. Hiding out, zipping in and out to get mail and only using my front door (away from her view). Also recording to see if she ever comes out of her 'cave'. Usually she stays bottled up until about 3:30-4ish. Then she goes shopping (like crazy) as soon as her sons are home. I really think she's guarding the house never really knowing what I might do. Sheriff has a definite lock out date. I'm assuming they will keep that one unlike last time when they tried to trick her by saying a day before the actual lock out. Calm day so far, but I'm not sure what happens tonight. Always fun.

So far we are good here. She's being stranger and stranger with weird comings and goings at all hours with her friend who drives a Fiat. This gal was here at the very beginning of the tenancy and my tenant said she was a security guard. Never said where, but back then they would go out all night till the wee hours of the morning. I assumed to the Casinos. She had lots of money then for everything. All of that $49k which I verified just last week again. Paid to her in 3 checks between November 14 and Dec 31. It's obviously all gone.

Last night again, dark house until 10:30 pm. Then SHE goes up the driveway, stands at the street on her phone (not standing ON her phone...ha) and is looking up and down obviously looking for a taxi or someone. She finally walks up to the main street (only 1 block away) and 5 minutes later, the Fiat gal drives IN. Nobody home as she waits for about 5 more minutes. Off she goes, and 15 minutes later, the Fiat is back WITH my tenant. 2 people go in and out of the house (unloading something in several trips) and then the Fiat leaves without the tenant and all goes dark in the house again. What? Either tenant made a late night food run (they love pizza) or who knows? Maybe a drug run and pizza. Oh well. Never can tell except the behavior of the tenant is erratic more than usual.

Night before she got home at 3:30 AM from a night out at 10 the night before (with Fiat gal). She was UP at 5 am and wide awake at 11 when she came to get some paperwork from me. Yeah, definitely on something. Not mentioning it to her, except to tell her she has tons of energy I wish I had. Yeah...she's got a lot of energy.

Sheriff definitely has the paperwork needed to continue the lock out. I went to the local court office to make sure. I also, despite not poking that bear, managed to get HER to say she will stick to our 'agreement' that she told the court. Hopefully she won't play any more games. I still don't trust her for a second! Lock out day is Monday June 24th and she is supposed to be moved out herself by the 22nd. Let's see how that goes.

Keep those prayers coming. This isn't over till it's over.

Yeah, even 10 days seems like a loooong time with this unbalanced individual.

We are all keeping our fingers crossed for you Sorta.

We are all keeping our fingers crossed for you Sorta., and hope she moves out, but sorry for her next victim.

Quick update. SHE is still here not looking like she's planning on moving anytime soon, but I'm patiently waiting to see stuff going OUT. She shops almost every day, just after she does her little drug deals, which have now moved from out front in the public street, to behind my house in our little private parking area. Yeah, she's getting braver now that she knows she's leaving. Yesterday, she actually handed over a gallon size back of what appeared to be marijuana to her little drug buddy. Yep, clear view of it in the security camera. Gal opened the big ziplock bag, took one of 3 smaller bags and sniffed it. Same with bag number 2. Oh well. If only I was a cop! This is the first time I saw any marijuana change hands. All the rest of the times (2-3 times a week) have been small packets that could be concealed in the palm of your hand. Gotta get rid of the one fast before she brings the entire drug trade to my door. At least it explains some of her strange behavior.

Good news is I called the Sheriff to check on Monday's Lock Out date appointment. Didn't get any paperwork in the mail like the first try last month when she stalled everything with the 'claim' by her mentally handicapped son. He had no idea what she made him sign. She retracted that at our last court date when we made the final agreement for her to move out without doing any more stalling. His name, however, remains on the lawsuit as a defendant. How awful of her to use him like that.

But again, the good news is, the Sheriff's office has everything they need for the final lock out and will call me a day or two before they appear. I'm relieved. Second try doesn't need all the formality, just the signed Judge's order to the Sheriff and it's all in place for a go. I'm anxiously awaiting Monday to see if she is still here and take pictures of the fun. I really think she will stay just to annoy me and could care less about the shame and consequences of being Evicted by the Sheriff. What a horrible person.

I'll let everyone know after Monday's big event how it went and what horrible things I discover IN the house. Might be bad, I already know at least 1/2 of the 11 mini-blinds which were NEW when she moved in, will have to be replaced. I've had mini-blinds for 40 years and only one had to be replaced. She is there 6 months and manages to trash a bunch of them.

After this, nothing will surprise me.

Monday still seems so far away!

Will be thinking about you Sorta

Update: Well it won't be Monday (tomorrow). Called Sheriff and am to wait for 'their schedule' for the Lock Out. They call you the day BEFORE they are coming. Geez, what a way to make you worry and wonder. I'm still telling her it's Monday. Probably be Tuesday or who knows. All I know is she IS starting to box up things, says she has a storage unit, borrowed my 'garden cart' to drag things 2 blocks away to the storage, etc. Let's hope she's really starting to move out. As of yesterday, still hadn't finished painting the living room that she started in November 2018, Yeah...she said she would do it yesterday. I'm not so sure she will. In any case, things are a bit more hopeful, even if nothing seems to be happening in any major way. Don't know why she's not got some friends to just whoosh over with trucks and move her somewhere, anywhere. Seven months of my life, tied up with all this. What a waste of time and energy and money. Hoping for good things to happen once she's out of my life. Never can tell what mood she's in or how much she's lying about everything. Dangerous gal in a lot of ways.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers Sorta!

Keep smiling!

It sounds like you're nearing the end of this adventure...

Can't wait to get that news from you

Be patient, don't worry...it will happen!

Hope you get the proper "Happy Ending" to this very sad tale SOON now, Sorta Blonde !!

Cheers.

Mad

Fingers crossed for you Sorta. I hope this is it.