Removal of tenant privileges - Landlord Forum thread

Removal of tenant privileges by Matt (CT) on November 2, 2009 @17:18

I live in a 2 family home and am in the the process of evicting my tenants whom have not paid in 4 months now. Ever since the eviction started these people have been calling every department they can to try and add more tension into my life. Most recently the building inspector came out to check the electrical connections near the washer/ dryer due to a complaint. The lease provides for use of the fridge and stove, but nothing is mentioned about a washer / dryer. No issues were found but the inspector suggested I disconnect the washer/dryer. They have been using it since move in... but from my understanding if its not mentioned in the lease, tough luck. Is this within my rights as a landlord? I'm only looking out for these scoundrels safety. Its probably best if they start using the laundry-mat.

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Re: Removal of tenant privileges by Ultimate M-Bone on November 2, 2009 @17:34	[ Reply ]
Unless you got it in writing from the inspecter that you should disconnect the w/d and he didn't disconnect it himself. I would leave it alone. This can and will be construed as harrassment by the court when your tenant cries to the judge about it. Seriously, you are not looking out for their safety and the judge wont believe it.

Re: Removal of tenant privileges by Ed (MN) on November 2, 2009 @22:24	[ Reply ]
Why don't you have a pay washer and dryer in the unit? I have one in all of my units, it keeps the utility costs down. And why are they four months behind? Thay should have been out 2 months ago, at the latest.

Re: Removal of tenant privileges

Re: Removal of tenant privileges by Anonymous on November 3, 2009 @09:05

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When I was evicting a tenant for nonpayment, se kept using my dryer (which she had been using from the beginging with my ok).mmMy attorney and the housing court specialist said I couldn't stop her from using it, even though it wasn'tin wriitng that she could use it. Since she had been using it, it was considered one of her rights. To discocnnect it also could have been considered illegal "self-help" eviction.

Re: Removal of tenant privileges by Anonymous on November 3, 2009 @12:08

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Thanks, everyone. I guess I will not be disconnecting the electrical for the washer/ dryer. It gets rather frustrating though with the amount of inconveniences they can throw my way, and me being stuck waiting for the proper process to move forward.

I started evicting right when they were just about 2 months behind in rent. My lawyer recommended that we evict for lapse of time rather than nonpayment of rent. A 30 day notice was sent out for leaving by sept 30. Then, court summons were passed out. One of the tenants bogged everything down by stating he was active duty military and could not appear.(soldiers relief act prevents eviction of enlisted people). It took me and my lawyer a handful of attempts to get this shot down and turned into a non-appearance.

From the information I've read here, I should have went with a 3 day notice for nonpayment of rent.

Here is a another question.. the dryer is not vented. Since washer/dryer is not in the lease, can I ask that the tenants remedy the problem or quit use. The building official mentioned that poses a fire hazard (in addition to the mold breeding it may lead to). Someone decided to feed the washing machine outside. That is not a code violation, but it is an issue with the water pollution control. I can fix it quick with a longer length of washing machine hose. I was thinking of the middle ground approach and asking the tenants provide me with the necessary items and they can continue use. (I really, really don't want them doing any work on anything)

Re: Removal of tenant privileges