SUBLET TO SNEAKY SONS
INHERITING A HOARDER TENANT
I rented one of my first rental properties to a sweet older lady and things were great for about 6 months. Then, she decided to move out and sublet the home to her teenage sons (without my knowledge, of course). Her sons opened an illegal drug operation out of the home. I did not know any of this until Rent-A-Center informed me that there was electronic rental equipment at the home that they couldn’t get back for non-payment. I visited the home and to my surprise, the SBI (State Bureau of Investigation) had just raided the home and arrested everyone! From that point on, I ensured that all my properties had some sort of quarterly on-site inspections - whether it be a drive-by visit, going inside to change the air filters, having my handyman go fix something, or an annual interior inspection. I always make sure I’m inside a few times per year.
I inherited a tenant when I bought my first rental, a small house with a shed in the back. A hazmat suit wasn't a bad idea when walking through the house (perishable food left out, cigarette smoke, dirty laundry piled to the ceiling, etc.).
The tenant paid me for the first month but of course, that never continued afterwards. Luckily, she left on her own.
My favorite part, though, was exploring the shed for the first time hoping to find some extra paint. But no. Instead, I found a blow-up mattress, more dirty laundry, and a court summons addressed to someone I did not know. I guess my tenant was harboring a fugitive or subleasing the shed. I didn't know if I was more shocked by how resourceful my tenant was or the fact that I had two tenants instead of one this whole time.
I GUESS MY TENANT WAS HARBORING A FUGITIVE OR SUBLEASING THE SHED.
HER SONS OPENED AN ILLEGAL DRUG OPERATION OUT OF THE HOME.
Nikki Senopoulos Short-Term Rental Operator Author of Run the Numbers Read Nikki’s Book
Jason Kogok Author of Plug the Holes, Fill the Barrel Read Jason’s Book
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