abuse of utilities, non payment of rent * BUNNIES

abuse of utilities, non payment of rent * BUNNIES by chris m on May 14, 2002 @22:23

One of our duplex tenants is 2 wks behind on rent. Again-4th time. We have learned through the grapevine she has lost her "real" paycheck job & is working at lower paying jobs to make ends meet. She has been using electric heaters for heat instead of the furnace-gas utility which she is responsible for. When we got a $400+ bill (triple norm amount) for electric this month I had someone check out the duplex & learned 2 electric heaters were plugged in while she was not there. It was 74 degrees today. They guessed the heaters were on to keep all the bunnies warm & funny. What bunnies???? Unattended/attended space heaters are fire hazards & not allowed by lease. I realise the tenant may have fallen on hard times & I dont want to think about the fate of the bunnies. My lease has late fees, no pets, no abuse of utilities and waives 15-30 day rule to evict if deemed necessary. I dont have the time or energy to hunt her down every month. Shes become an accomplished landlord avoider. I have a notice to quit (3day) already prepared to post on the door. I think she may have squatter intentions & will go the distance with no recovery ($) possible for us. Has anyone filed late records with credit bureaus on tenants ? If so-how did you do this ? I'm looking for a trump card here to level this playing field. Would you accept payment if she cured these conditions or would you cut your losses? I've been renting for 10 years & have never been a zoo keeper before.Any,All ideas, tips appreciated & No I do not want rabbit stew in exchange for payment. Thanks in advance!

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