Re: Filthy tenant - Landlord Forum thread 357460

Re: Filthy tenant by Garry (Iowa) on May 20, 2018 @12:55

When is his lease up? You need to get rid of this guy ASAP, by terminating his lease at the end of it. He will NEVER get any better at cleaning up after himself. There is NO incentive to do so. Your/his place will only get WORSE, the longer he lives there.
As to what to do right now? You can WRITE him a letter stating what you saw in the apartment, and state any specific parts of your lease, and/or any laws in your city/county/state codes, that have to do with cleanliness, and HOPE he changes. Beyond that, there is not much a LL can do to FORCE someone to clean their place up. Trying to evict someone for being "unclean", is extremely hard to do. Too much proof is needed (pics, witnesses, complaining neighbors, city inspectors). Unfortunately , you may just have to "grit" your teeth until he moves.
In your letter, give him 30 days to clean things, and you want back in, to go thru the whole apartment. If things have not changed, tell him you will NOT be renewing his lease. Also mention that his security deposit will go for cleaning and repairing anything in the apt. after he moves out. ACCEPT NO EXCUSES !! There are single people out there that work 60-80 hours per week, have no dishwasher, and STILL keep a clean apt.
If you have a late fee written into your lease, start charging it. In general, some tenants have a "shelf life", and it appears your T may have reached his. He either needs to change, or move.

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