Are you legally protected with a lease?

Are you legally protected with a lease? by Anonymous on November 5, 2009 @10:09

This February, by Mother passed away, leaving us with some rental property that she had for over 25 years.
We now have a tenent who we rented to this April and has not paid rent since August, and that was only 1/2 what we should have recieved.
They requested that we replace the refrigerator due to some disrepair and we did so. Then they requested we fix washing machine /dryer and because they refused to work with us in getting a repair guy in and then waited for weeks for parts,etc. They began claiming we had broken the lease by not supplying the washing machine/dryer unit.
Even though we were making every attempt to repair, they became hostile.
Then, one of the gals falls down the stairs (she slipped break her leg) and now she is going after the insurance.
My question is, can she sue us personally, and should I start taking action to protect my personal property (home, car etc.)for fear she can take it all away?
I feel this woman caused her own accident and is a gold digger.
The Lease cleary states under "Liability"; Damage or injury to resident or his/her property:Management is NOT responsible for any damage or injury that is done to resident or his/her property, guests or their property that was NOT caused by Management.
I just don't trust her and am very concerned!
What should I do?
respectfully,
D

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Re: Are you legally protected with a lease? by Anonymous on November 5, 2009 @11:22	[ Reply ]
They've been testing you since you took over and you have not been putting them in their place. They've got you running around doing all kinds of repairs while living rent free. You need to get yourself a lawer and get them out. Then sell the property or devote a lot of time to learning how to landlord.

Re: Are you legally protected with a lease? by John (NY) on November 5, 2009 @11:30

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I've been through it too.

The important thing is that you begin eviction asap, because they are milking it and taking advantage of your inexperience.

If you have an insurance policy on the house it will probably not cover tenants for their own injuries UNLESS it was due to some kind of negligence on your part.

Your insurance company has lawyers to protect you (and themselves) from "gold diggers". Talk to your insurance company. They will probably squash it, but the main thing is THEY will deal with it- not you.

Also get a lawyer on the eviction immediately. These people have already stolen enough money from you and will continue unless you put a stop to it!

Re: Are you legally protected with a lease? by Dade (NJ) on November 5, 2009 @11:55	[ Reply ]
I agree with the other posters. Get a lawyer (flat fee eviction attorney, if possible) and allow all their calls to go to voicemail. Respond to requests in writing only. Document everything. Start a paper trail for the judge to see. Good Luck.