Post by High Priestess on Dec 11, 2015 1:20:01 GMT
Here's a squatter story -- a horror story about just how long someone could end up living rent free in your property:
www.rentalutions.com/blog/rental-horror-stories-renters-who-pay-late-or-dont-pay-at-all/
How Tenants Live for Free:
Take one of our customers, Ken, for example. Ken found himself to be a new landlord in 2011 when he and his family moved out of their two bedroom condo and into a single family home in Chicago. Ken listed his condo for rent on Craiglist. Because his condo was beautiful and rent was reasonably priced, Ken was able to find a tenant right away. Ken’s tenant, Jack, seemed great. He even came prepared by pulling his own credit report beforehand.
Soon, Ken and Jack entered into 12 month lease agreement with an established rent and security deposit amount to be paid on the move-in day. Ken didn’t realize that Jack had no intention of paying either the security deposit or the rent AND could get away with it while still living in the condo. It all began on the first day of the lease. Jack moved and gave Ken a check for the first month’s rent and security deposit. It wasn’t until four days later that Ken was notified by the bank that Jack’s check had bounced. Apparently there was no money in Jack’s account.
Ken, being a reasonable and caring first-time landlord, called Jack to find out what’s going on. He was relieved when Jack had explained that it was just a timing issue and that he deposited his paycheck into the account the day after he gave Ken the check – “don’t worry, here’s another check, the money is definitely in the account this time”. The check bounced again! It turns out that Jack had lost his job weeks before and never had any intention of paying his rent.
Ken took the advice of a friend whose quite knowledgeable about rental properties and immediately served Jack with a ‘Pay or Quit’ notice – basically giving Jack five days to pay the owed rent and deposit before the eviction process would start. Jack’s response: “I’m going to live here for free for a long time!” Unfortunately for Ken, this turns out to be true. Here’s a timeline of the events that occurred following the ‘Pay or Quite’ notice.
February 6th – Pay or Quit notice is served to tenant. Tenant responds unfavorably (Lease started 1/1). Jack has been living for free for 36 days already.
February 11th – Ken files for unlawful detainer case for judge to hear the facts. Jack has now been living for free for 41 days.
February 25th – Jack is finally served with the requirement to appear in court. 55 days.
March 10th – Court Appearance 1, Jack asks for an extension in order to try find a lawyer. 68 days.
March 25th – Court Appearance 2, Jack’s new lawyer asks for an extension in order to learn the facts. 83 days.
April 18th – Court Appearance 3, Jack’s lawyer asks to be able to assemble a Jury. 107 days.
May 2nd – Court Appearance 4, Jack’s lawyer asks for a postponement on the trial and Jack declares bankruptcy. Eviction proceedings are put on hold until the bankruptcy process is complete. 121 days.
August 17th – Court Appearance 5, the facts are finally heard. Jack is court-ordered to move out within two weeks. 228 days.
September 1st – Jack has not moved out. Ken requests sheriff to perform a forcible detainer (haul the tenant out physically). Sheriff checks his books for his first availability, which isn’t for a while. 243 days.
October 2nd – The sheriff forcibly removes Jack. Ken finally takes repossession of his own property. 274 days.
www.rentalutions.com/blog/rental-horror-stories-renters-who-pay-late-or-dont-pay-at-all/
How Tenants Live for Free:
Take one of our customers, Ken, for example. Ken found himself to be a new landlord in 2011 when he and his family moved out of their two bedroom condo and into a single family home in Chicago. Ken listed his condo for rent on Craiglist. Because his condo was beautiful and rent was reasonably priced, Ken was able to find a tenant right away. Ken’s tenant, Jack, seemed great. He even came prepared by pulling his own credit report beforehand.
Soon, Ken and Jack entered into 12 month lease agreement with an established rent and security deposit amount to be paid on the move-in day. Ken didn’t realize that Jack had no intention of paying either the security deposit or the rent AND could get away with it while still living in the condo. It all began on the first day of the lease. Jack moved and gave Ken a check for the first month’s rent and security deposit. It wasn’t until four days later that Ken was notified by the bank that Jack’s check had bounced. Apparently there was no money in Jack’s account.
Ken, being a reasonable and caring first-time landlord, called Jack to find out what’s going on. He was relieved when Jack had explained that it was just a timing issue and that he deposited his paycheck into the account the day after he gave Ken the check – “don’t worry, here’s another check, the money is definitely in the account this time”. The check bounced again! It turns out that Jack had lost his job weeks before and never had any intention of paying his rent.
Ken took the advice of a friend whose quite knowledgeable about rental properties and immediately served Jack with a ‘Pay or Quit’ notice – basically giving Jack five days to pay the owed rent and deposit before the eviction process would start. Jack’s response: “I’m going to live here for free for a long time!” Unfortunately for Ken, this turns out to be true. Here’s a timeline of the events that occurred following the ‘Pay or Quite’ notice.
February 6th – Pay or Quit notice is served to tenant. Tenant responds unfavorably (Lease started 1/1). Jack has been living for free for 36 days already.
February 11th – Ken files for unlawful detainer case for judge to hear the facts. Jack has now been living for free for 41 days.
February 25th – Jack is finally served with the requirement to appear in court. 55 days.
March 10th – Court Appearance 1, Jack asks for an extension in order to try find a lawyer. 68 days.
March 25th – Court Appearance 2, Jack’s new lawyer asks for an extension in order to learn the facts. 83 days.
April 18th – Court Appearance 3, Jack’s lawyer asks to be able to assemble a Jury. 107 days.
May 2nd – Court Appearance 4, Jack’s lawyer asks for a postponement on the trial and Jack declares bankruptcy. Eviction proceedings are put on hold until the bankruptcy process is complete. 121 days.
August 17th – Court Appearance 5, the facts are finally heard. Jack is court-ordered to move out within two weeks. 228 days.
September 1st – Jack has not moved out. Ken requests sheriff to perform a forcible detainer (haul the tenant out physically). Sheriff checks his books for his first availability, which isn’t for a while. 243 days.
October 2nd – The sheriff forcibly removes Jack. Ken finally takes repossession of his own property. 274 days.