Most of the time I pick the right tenant. But sometimes I fail to listen to my gut.... The prospective tenant said something at the lease signing table that really annoyed me and I had the impulse to tell her I changed my mind. She said "now that I am on section 8 I can quit my second job and my boyfriend should work under the table". I went through with the lease...
The problems started as they moved in. Loud music and a total disregard for the upstairs neighbors. I had numerous calls and ended up in a he said/she said situation... I counseled that the lower tenants needed to respect the upper stairs tenants and made threatening noises about reporting them to housing. I felt sorry for her two little kids. Each called the police on the other. When the boyfriend left I was ecstatic. I figured things would settle.... Nope they got worse. Now she was partying every night with different guys... Every time I went there they would be spacey (probably stoned) people. I felt very sorry for the upstairs neighbor (who she accused of having an anger management problem). I contacted my previous tenant and they had had no problems with the upstairs tenant.
I asked housing if she could be released from her lease because I was in a he said/she said situation. They agreed (they never agree in my experience). I was pleased. She seemed to want to leave. I wanted her to leave. The upstairs tenants wanted her gone in July. She then told me she had no money for the new deposit if I could give her the money that would be perfect. I told her that I am in the habit of giving the deposit after the apartment is clean and empty. Then she told me she wanted to go to the next county but housing wouldn't transfer her.
I called the upstairs tenants and was told that she was planning to move. I called her and told her I hadn't gotten any word from housing. She said she was just going to leave Idaho so she didn't have to give them any warning. I was delighted. I am a bleeding heart liberal but I really thought another family could use this housing voucher more. She wanted her money. I reminded her of my policy. She agreed to let us paint before she was out (because of the holidays). We arrived yesterday. The place was worse then ever. They were asleep. Another friend came in. Before the day was out he was in jail. She promised to be out by Monday and I told her I would go through it and give her her check. There is some damage but not to much (I will deduct for damage and whatever cleaning I need to do).
She told me I should get January's rent would I please give her some of it. I said I would be returning January's rent to housing if I got it. She said I should stretch the truth. I told her I don't lie period about anything other then dog poop (family harmony situation that back fired).
I am so happy to be changing tenants. Jingle bells, jingle bells! Changing the locks as soon as she is out! As soon as it later I will call the carpet cleaner for Monday. Then I will know all the damage
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