I received a call by the court officer yesterday. My tenant did not show up for court and he had a writ to do a lockout. Wanted to know if I wanted to schedule it. You bet!
Went today. It was pretty uneventful. The tenant's ex-girlfriend showed up while we were changing locks. She wanted to get back in the house to get some things. The court officer told he they could go get any medication she needed, but that's all they were going to do today. She then turned to me and asked when she needed to do to get her stuff. We talked for a few minutes and I let her know she would need a power of attorney or a signed affidavit from the actual tenant letting her take possession. Past that, I couldn't even talk to her because she wasn't on the lease.
The story (short version) is tenant is in jail. She is taking care of kids until he is out. After today, doesn't sound like he'll be getting out. Facing 25 to life from the sounds of it. She was basically going to move in and "take over the lease". Problem was that she wasn't paying. She tried to go the covid route and claim exception, but that didn't work for her either. When the lease holder didn't show for court, it was automatic.
Talked to my attorney this afternoon and told her the story. She told me about a few they are facing here now. Sounds like everyone is claiming the covid exemption and it's not working for many of them. The judges are requiring proof of hardship, that is was covid's fault, the form filled out, documentation provided, etc. She said about the only change that she is seeing is that judges used to grant possession the same day as the hearing and now they MIGHT give an extra week before granting possession.
At least we are able to get some through. I've got another that was laid off. He said it's covid, but I have my doubts. He applied for the state assistance program a month ago and I was notified today he was denied because he makes (or made this year?) too much money. He's supposedly going to send me rent by the 6th. Not holding my breath. Probably going to be delivering a 30 day non-renewal notice on that one.
I guess the point is there is still hope. I'm sure it will tighten up more before it's relaxed though...
--70.179.xxx.xxx