Section 8 Tenant From Hell
I have a section 8 tenant who has been a royal pain since day one with constant whining and outrageous demands. The mood went from polite to rude the day the lease began. I was just notified by Section 8 that this tenant is losing all of their Section 8 assistance due to some kind of misrepresentation on their part. It appears the tenant lied to Section 8, an audit was performed and it was discovered they had sufficient income and simply committed fraud. I also gathered from a phone conversation with Sec.8 there might be more even more Fed fraud on the part of the
tenant......they were rather vague, but I was told the person has a history of frivolous, petty lawsuits to get their way. My question.....the lease was originally for 1 year and was signed May 1, 2002 and has been month to month since then. I want them out of the house ASAP and considering the circumstances do not want to leave any details out. I was getting ready to simply mail the tenant a polite letter stating the lease would not be renewed as of ______ and give them
30 days notice, but something tells me that with a nutcase like this I should let an attorney handle it to be safe rather than sorry..... since the fur has begun to fly already with Section 8, I can picture this wacko calling a press conference about being evicted and seeing it on the local news.
Any input will be appreciated.
I suppose if he lied to Section 8, I bet he lied somewhere on the lease app? Perhaps you can use this, with an attorney's help to get him out. Now I haven't used this next suggestion, but heard one of the TV gurus suggest it and always wondered if this would work: Offer some money if they're out ASAP, due to your need to sell/rehab. etc. (half the month's rent or something). It may be a small cost compared to getting him out if he is not paying. Let us know how things go - Your experience may help everyone!
I agree with Lansinginvestor about offering them money to move out. I have only done this once, but it worked beautifully. If this didn't work, I would go with the attorney if they really seem to be a problem.
Before you give them move out money have them sign a release. Ask your attorney for help in drafting an iron-clad document that will prevent any future claims.
I had my lawyer draw up a voluntary vacancy agreement . More money was offered if the tenant moved out in 10 days and a lesser amount was offered if the tenant moved out in 30. No cash was offered until final inspection and the place was completly clean and vacant. It worked great and saved a fortune in court fees, lost rent, etc.
Best of luck. I'm sure next time, you'll screen your applicant more closely.