I just came back from court. This is the story of how tenants can live free in your investment property.
These are the same tenants that inspired me to write: Finding the right tenant.
A tenant moves in and has 5 days to report anything that has to be fixed. They complaint: it is to cold, so I 
bring them spaces heaters the next day. They don't turn on the water, so they burn the water heater. I fix the water heater. On the first of the month when the rent is due the lady calls me hysterical telling me that some one broke in the place. In the police report that I finally saw today, the policeman writes that the point of entry was the bedroom window and there are no finger prints at all. He also writes that the tenant is unemployed. I called the man that does all my repairs the night of the supposedly break in;he tells me he is on his way, but never shows up until the next morning. He closes the hole with a piece of wood and informs me that the window was broken from the inside out. We look for a window that will fit that hole, but it is an old window, so finally three days later we install a new window and just make the hole to adapt.
By this time the tenant calls the city inspector which condemns the house for lack or water. There are other repairs that need to be done, and he gives me 4 days. I do all the repairs in the time allotted. The story continues.....but to make the story short, they stay in the place for another month and a half.
The judge a very old man Robert F. Babb rules for the tenant awarding me no money for rent or damages. Very happily looks at me and says, I award Zero money because this is to CONFUSING. (I do know people in their 90's who are sharp beyond belief. Unfortunately this judge doesn't appear to be in this category)
He did not ask me or the tenant any questions. I tried to ask what is confusing, but by this time the policeman is walking towards me to escort me out the door. I am told I need to appeal. Spend another $108 in court fees plus I think at this time, I would have to hire an attorney to recover the $2000 plus these people owe me. The attorneys fees will be $800.
I AM DEVASTATED TO THINK THAT IN THIS COUNTRY THE LEGAL SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK. If the judge doesn't understand what he has in front of him, he needs to ask questions.
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS. I AM SO UPSET, I NEED TO VENT.
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