Landlord Adventures

[WenikiTiki]

So it has been a bit since I posted. I check in now and then. Life seems to go on.

I rented out part of my house, the guest house first, then two rooms. I'm not sure if I am ahead or behind on all that. The first young ladies who stayed with me were delightful, polite, cleaned up. Then the next group came in, and talked me into letting 4 28-30 year old gals stay with me. They were nice as individuals, but were pretty terrible to share a house with. They made a 5 month lease with me. Then found out they all had a long deployment. So I let them out of their lease 2 months early, and just figured I would tighten my belt. They actually left yesterday.

Then it seemed thing were working out, a new woman at work wanted to move in, take the 2 bedrooms and then when the guest house became available take that for her son. She moved in early, I cleared out my office and her son was sleeping in the formal living room on the couch. Yes her 31 year old son. And it was fine while I was gone on a trip, the minute I got back it all went to hell. Maybe because I was there to say "What in the heck is wrong with all you people?" So in a nutshell my crazy magnet continues to work just fine.

So my work friend and her son were told to find another place. They went back to a hotel. Leaving me a huge mess to clean up. And then a few days later she kicked her son out. Mind you she brought him here with her from the East Coast. He wasn't working, appears to be nothing but a bum, and had no money. Then a few days later my house was robbed.

Mostly the stuff taken belonged to the 4 girls. And my checks from two accounts and my passport. So the girls are mad at me. I hadn't really worried about their stuff because I have lived here for over 10 years and we have never had a problem.

The guy in the guest house had been acting pretty squirrely, I was waiting for his lease to end 31 Dec to tell him to go. He has paid late, taken beer from my bar fridge many times (Like about 50 beers, which he promised to replace) He even came in the house while I was on my trip and told the girls it was his beer and took it in front of them. And made a huge mess on the carport, extra broken vehicle for 6 months, overnight guests who appeared to be to drunk/high to drive and more.

So much to my surprise the guest house tenant gave me one days notice he was moving out. And I took a day off work because I felt like he was not to be trusted at that point. So he sends me texts that sounded like we were a couple breaking up. (Lets part gently....) He is a f'ing moron. We are going to part in small claims court where he will find out that my house getting robbed does not breach his rental contract.

He even tried to explain to me that he will show he has given me $20,000. (He bought the truck from my X and I, he made the check out to me, I deposited it and paid my X) I kind of hope he brings that up in court. That way the judge will know he has a paid off asset for me to put a lien on for the $3,000 he owes on his lease. I am working on getting it rented out again, but don't want to rush into another mistake.

For sure I am keeping his deposit. He did leave the place clean, but didn't return both keys, only one.

So I am sitting here in my empty house, not really unhappy, but my savings are taking a dent. And I'm back to just wondering if maybe keeping this house is crazy!

On the plus side I did get that great promotion at work. And if I keep working hard I could get another promotion in a year or two. Meanwhile, I will have to cut the gardner back to only every other week, and I will probably go on a craigslist selling spree. That always makes me feel better.

Happy Halloween All!