Need Massive Help
#1184565
04/27/19 09:55 AM
04/27/19 09:55 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,848 San Diego, CA
Sorta Blonde
OP
BAAG Specialist
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OP
BAAG Specialist
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,848
San Diego, CA
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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.
WARNING! This person is extremely blonde...please type SLOWLY.
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184566
04/27/19 10:09 AM
04/27/19 10:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 83,352 In the Naughty Corner
BrownEyedTigre
The Sassy Admin and PR Liaison
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The Sassy Admin and PR Liaison
Sonic Boomer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 83,352
In the Naughty Corner
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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
Don't feed the Trolls
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184569
04/27/19 11:05 AM
04/27/19 11:05 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 48,905 Alabama
looney4labs
Sonic Boomer
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Sonic Boomer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 48,905
Alabama
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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!
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." -Roger Caras
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184570
04/27/19 11:25 AM
04/27/19 11:25 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 37,831 Alabama
soot
Puzzled Moderator
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Puzzled Moderator
Sonic Boomer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 37,831
Alabama
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Oh my goodness SortaB...sending Positive Thoughts and prayers your way!
Dan ... To learn, read...To know, write...To master, teach...To live, play games & listen to whale music Stay Smart & Stay Safe
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184595
04/27/19 04:03 PM
04/27/19 04:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,843 Edmonton, Alberta Canada
judith
Addicted Boomer
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Addicted Boomer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,843
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
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Check out the places that Ana & Draclvr suggested. It is good advice. In the meantime thoughts & prayers are going out to you.
A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: judith]
#1184602
04/27/19 07:15 PM
04/27/19 07:15 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,073 Calera, Oklahoma
gymcandy1
Joe's Diner Proprietor
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Joe's Diner Proprietor
Sonic Boomer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,073
Calera, Oklahoma
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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
There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.
William Butler Yeats
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184639
04/28/19 09:12 AM
04/28/19 09:12 AM
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 16,803 Upper Arlington, Ohio
Space Quest Fan
Graduate Boomer
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Graduate Boomer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 16,803
Upper Arlington, Ohio
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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.
It's nice to be important but it is much more important to be nice.
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184640
04/28/19 09:13 AM
04/28/19 09:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,848 San Diego, CA
Sorta Blonde
OP
BAAG Specialist
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OP
BAAG Specialist
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,848
San Diego, CA
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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.
WARNING! This person is extremely blonde...please type SLOWLY.
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184642
04/28/19 09:22 AM
04/28/19 09:22 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,117 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,117
Near St. Louis, MO
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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?
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184645
04/28/19 10:16 AM
04/28/19 10:16 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,222 Canal Fulton, OH
Sparkle
Addicted Boomer
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Addicted Boomer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,222
Canal Fulton, OH
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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.
Last edited by Sparkle; 04/28/19 10:16 AM.
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184724
04/29/19 04:04 AM
04/29/19 04:04 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,147 Marlborough USA
Kaki's Sister
Sonic Boomer
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Sonic Boomer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,147
Marlborough USA
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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.
Gerry
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184774
04/29/19 12:45 PM
04/29/19 12:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,649 New York
Leeana
Addicted Boomer
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Addicted Boomer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,649
New York
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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
'Worry looks around, sorry looks back, Faith looks up.'
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184788
04/29/19 03:49 PM
04/29/19 03:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,117 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
True Blue Boomer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,117
Near St. Louis, MO
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I hope you are 200% correct, mbday!
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Need Massive Help
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#1184793
04/29/19 04:23 PM
04/29/19 04:23 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,848 San Diego, CA
Sorta Blonde
OP
BAAG Specialist
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OP
BAAG Specialist
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,848
San Diego, CA
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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.
WARNING! This person is extremely blonde...please type SLOWLY.
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