Tenant Won't Return My Phone Calls/junk Car
I just bout a 3 unit property, and one of my tenants has a junked car in the parking area. I personally told him to get rid of it, but he has not, so I called him once on Monday, and twice today, telling him that I have names of companies that will tow his junk car for free. The last message I left for him told him that I expect he will have the car gone when I come to the property this weekend, or else I will not be happy at all. Should I write him a strong letter telling him he is in violation of his lease, and that if he does not get rid of the car immediately, I will take action against him? Any suggestions? I want this car gone!!!
check your local landlord tenant laws, You need to do what ever it takes to get it gone. If not, it sets a bad precedence for you the next time you need to enforce anything with any of the tenants.
As Jeff said, read and learn your landlord/tenant laws so that you'll know exactly what you can, and can't, do in this situation.
As important, you don't want to write a "strong letter," you will want to post/write a notice of lease violation. Keep it professional and legal. No threats, only the specific outline of what WILL happen, and in what timeframe and/or financial consequences, should the tenant not correct the violation.
Sending a certified letter is good, but if your T/L laws allow, I'd also simply post it to the door with a 3 (or 7 or 10) Notice to vacate due to lease violation. Trust me, this will get them calling you.
Roger
Hey,
Not to be stupid, but what exactly is a "junk car"? Did he buy a real piece of garbage and have it towed to the property? Or is it his car and it just broke down?
It makes a difference as to what you can do about it.
In my lease, I have a clause that states cars must have a current tag and be driveable (or something like that). But if a tenant's car broke down and he was saving up money to fix it, I doubt I could enforce this clause.
Are the plates current and the car in wrking order? (No flat tires, broken windows etc)If it is, there may not be much you an do. You can'tgell him he has to get rid of his ar just cause youdon't like it. If it is in a state of disrepair I would get anorange illegal parking sticker, tag his car and give him 48 hours to fix or remove and if he doesn't get it towed away.
Joe
Call your friendly towing company. They can tell you what the law is for removing junkers in your area (saves you having to look it up).
They can come by and post a notice on the car to remove by such date or it will be towed...that is if you really want to be nice.
Frankly, I think you have already given plenty of notice(s), I'd call the tower and tell them to come get it!
Tenant can always recover it for a fee.
When you tell them to remove by a particular time, you need to followup to see they have complied. When you don't take action, but give another notice, another notice, it makes you appear weak in the tenants eyes. A firm hand will be respected.
Hey,
If the car is parked on private property, the police can not ticket it (unless it is in a handicapped spot).
If it parked in a public place (the street), call the cops and be done with it. But I do not think that is the case.
A car parked by a tenant, that still legal occupies a unit, in a parking place provided for that purpose can not be considered abandoned.
I have had cars towed off my property and the towing company always made me sign a piece of paper that said I had the legal right to have the car towed. That means the towing company can't be sued, but I could be.
All of this boils down to...know the law before you do anything.