[AnAmericanMother]

I'm not sure where you are, but in GA landlords have it easy. Eviction is a VERY simple process before a magistrate.

I took a course once on "tenant's rights" - short answer, they ain't got any, not in Georgia anyhow.

You send the guy in to change the light bulbs or the furnace filter, he smells urine or faeces, you issue a warning if you like . . . or just start the eviction process. Excess turnover is certainly an issue, but who says a pet deposit has to be $400? One month's rent? Judgment for the excess damages?

I'm not in the real property rental business (don't have the patience or the temper for it) but my husband used to assist at evictions in his younger and wilder days (he and another large young man would accompany the petite 98 pound landlord when she served the notices, just to head off any trouble) so I've had a ringside seat, so to speak.

[wmfights]

"I took a course once on "tenant's rights" - short answer, they ain't got any, not in Georgia anyhow."
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I'm in the socialist republic of Chicago. Landlord's have no rights. You have to be very careful screening because once they're in even with non-payment it can take 6+ months to get them out and will cost $1,500+.

There was a time when you could serve a ten day notice and the judge would throw them out immediately, but they won't even consider it anymore. FWIW, a 5 day notice is for non-payment, a 10 day notice is very creating problems ie. loud dog, stereo, not taking garbage down etc..