Landlords, I got a strange text from a former bad tenant asking "when did I move out?" She is claiming fraud because she stated she's "moved in June " but the electric service was charged thru mid August. I replied I didn't know when she moved out but her boyfriend vacated in August and I have been trying to reach her for the unpaid rent and property damages including moving out furniture left behind. She replied"I don't owe you anything and that was not her fault". She was one of my worst ever tenants (drug user, police reports, etc). She then proceeded to call me several times. I told her not to text me again as I considered this harassment. Is there anything else I should do to protect myself legally from this person? She did not leave a forward address.

Tonia,

Did you mail a written DEPOSIT SETTLEMENT itemizing her charges within your state’s timeline? If not send it right now.

We send to LAST KNOWN ADDRESS

AND to her new address if provided.

My lease is clear: 4 Emergency Contacts per adult. Gives me lots of people to help find her new address or get word to them to must appear in court.

Did she notify you she was out AND return her keys. If they boyfriend lived there he also owes rent.

funny how when they get a bill-- it's I moved out 4 months ago you can't do that to me.

Of course they forgot the left their boyfriend or live in still there.

Short story from years ago. Guy and girlfriend rent a home from us. He gives call I'm not living there any more to which I said it's ok but your being charged for living there. He flipped. He said he didn't even have the key any more. Asked if I could give him a key. He met me in a neighbors driveway so I gave him the key. He was driving one of those Caddy Fleetwood's-- and its dragging the shocks cause he had so much meat in there. 4 of the biggest guys I've ever seen get out go inside and empty the place out into a panel truck. Took about 40 minutes. Lucky for me his girl waste on the lease. Went over and changed the locks and had him sign a voluntary surrender. About 5 hrs later the girl calls asking about the furniture-- I told her John ( use that name for her side business) took everything and gave me the house back. You need to call JOHN.

This is a common everyday problem in LLing and MUST be addressed in a proper lease - BEFORE it happens. THAT is why we have a lease.

My lease is clear: it includes an OFFICIAL move out notice form and states the form is the only method for move out. It asks their current phone, employment, and forwarding address. Rent continues until we receive this form and send an acknowledgement.

Plenty:

Ha, I love it!