Fed up landlord spray paints "deadbeat tenants" on home

WBTV ^ | Aug 05, 2010 | Tom Roussey

[ace2u_in_MD]

Agreed. But in this case I highly doubt that the landlord will be fixing up the place for another tenant since it is in foreclosure. The LL may have already used those funds for another purpose since she is in such a financial straight that she is not even paying the mortgage...

Who wants to bet this is an instance of “Strategic Foreclosure”?

[gunsequalfreedom]

Welcome to being a landlord.

No doubt people who have not been in this business and see it as an easy way to make money will get caught up in this sort of thing.

They buy a foreclosure house cheap and figure they will get renters. what they get is a whole bunch of problems.

[Allegra]

Good potential Jerry Springer Show guests.

Is that show still on?

[BenKenobi]

If she’s not paying the mortgage, I can’t see how she can collect on the rent.

Spraypainting ‘deadbeat tenant’ is just childish.

I’ve been there where I paid a month’s rent, and had the landlord lock me out, toss my stuff on the lawn and told me to get out.

He wanted his friend to live with him, you see...

[eXe]

Yeah thats what I think.. If I lived in a rental and my landlord had stopped paying the mortgage, I would stop rent payments immediately.

Sorry.. but if I am going to have to move, I am saving my cash for moving.

[ace2u_in_MD]

I think that it will depend on the situation...

Did the owner ever live in the house, or was it purchased solely as a rental? If bought as a rental, then she could be in a jackpot if the mortgage holder learns of the mess, since the mortgage paperwork, most likely, holds a clause that rents are used to pay the mortgage. Since it is already in foreclosure, and the tenants are 2 months behind, is that the mortgage is most likely 3-6 months behind.

I am also curious if the property records accurately reflect if this a non owner occupied home, which usually negates any reductions or homestead credits.

[Paladin2]

I’d guess that the local authorities could charge the owner with the creation of a public nuisance and make him fix it.

[abortionisalwaysmurder]

She believes the tenants figured out she wouldn't be able to legally evict them before she lost ownership of the home, so they stopped paying. She says the eviction process can take several months.

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I think they figured that if she isn't paying the bank why whouod they pay her. If they ahve ehld onot that rent money, they may just be able to bnuy the hosue at auction with her money.

[abortionisalwaysmurder]

She believes the tenants figured out she wouldn't be able to legally evict them before she lost ownership of the home, so they stopped paying. She says the eviction process can take several months.

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I think they figured that if she isn't paying the bank why should they pay her. If they have hold onto that rent money, they may just be able to buy the house at auction with her money.

[Tao Yin]

Legally, if the landlord stops paying the mortgage, you may not be required to pay rent. Depends on the state and the lease.

[CodeToad]

“Jackson called police, who said McCants won’t be charged because spray painting your own property is not a crime.
“

The tenants still get the “quite enjoyment” of the property and can take legal action against a landlord for being a pest.

Ironic that the landlord isn’t paying her mortgage but thinks the tenants should pay thiers.

[fr_freak]

While I sympathize with the landlord, he does not have a right to deface the un-defaced house he contracted to rent them.

Eh? They also contracted to pay the landlord a monthly rent, which they haven't done. If your tenant acts in a way to void the contract, why would a landlord need to honor it?

[Atlas Sneezed]

Read my whole post.

[ace2u_in_MD]

Well, legally the landlord agreed to rent the house to the tenants for a specific period of time. Now the landlord may have already been arrears to the mortgage holder when the tenancy began. So, the landlord may have been the first to not honor the lease terms by their non-payment of the mortgage.

I am wondering if a Fraud complaint against the landlord may be in the offering since she went public...

[moehoward]

Ms Pot, meet Ms Kettle.

So the tenant is 2 months behind.....
In some areas, a fIrst, last, and damage deposit is required prior to move in.
It’s highly unlikely the renter can look forward to any refund on that deposit.