So tenant didn't pay during COVID and refused to pay since, claiming they were escrowing $ because we didn't fix things (they wouldn't let us in AND the things they wanted fixed,..they broke which I believe using it as a tool not to pay) We went to court over this and the judge let them stay. so we finally got an eviction, They were supposed to leave Aug 31, but are still there.

So while there, they purchased perhaps the biggest TV that one can buy, a fairly new SUV, gym equipment, a new dinning set , and bragged to other tenants that they spent 2100 on a new bed. New bed for their 2 kids and an illegal washer and dryer among other things.

I'm pretty certain they don't have an escrow account. So wondering in Ma if you can place a lien on personal property n this state?

Also can one get transcripts of court proceeding and do they transcribe the meditations that they force you to go before court?

Give them an inch and they will take a mile.

Is it likely that the tenants paid cash for their purchases, or is it more likely that they used credit, meaning there is already a lien on the personal property?

This means that they have been in there 4 years without paying?

They had a very good credit history score, They came from out of the area but the former LL have stellar things to say about them. However since then we have found that they wanted them to leave and lied about this. No former LL before that because they were housed via him being in the military.

They had good income (verified)

They know how to use the system.Perhaps we don't screen as well as we could, we are fairly new and have never had a bad tenant.

No he no longer is in the military.

Things have changed in the last 8 years since we got the building.

A lot of occupants there now are section 8, Other than credit reports, references, job history if those didn't pass someone. we would have an empty building,..as it was in this unit last 7 months with no occupant.

If they have one vehicle it will be hard to grab it. There are rules about that I believe. Something about needing the vehicle for working as sustaining the family.

On the other hand if they have spare vehicles or any fun items like mentioned above (boats, jet skis, etc) then you should be able to go for them.

Something's not right here... let's back up a minute. First, understand I'm not trying to beat you up, but this story has some missing information.

So what's the deal with your building? As you probably noticed, the past 2 years have been a feeding frenzy as tenants paid ever-increasing rents for the FEW available, affordable rental units. Why was/is that not the case for your building, which has lead to a 7 month vacancy?

My absolute WORST vacancy ever was 2 months, and that included some serious renovations!

Second point: you mentioned you have bills to pay. Yep, and bad tenants add to bills that don't get paid. Yes, it IS better to have no tenant than a bad tenant. One bad tenancy will eat the profits of 2-3 good tenants, so taking a chance on a bad tenant is basically like creating double to triple your vacancy rate. As is probably obvious right now, since they aren't paying, it's basically like you do have a vacancy right now, except they're also tearing up the place.

So let's figure out what the problem is with your building and why it's taking so long to find good tenants. A properly priced unit is a town with stable or growing demographics and a diversified economy should rent in 2- 6 weeks. That needs to be the primary focus so that you don't end up with a half dozen more of these scenarios.

Hope you can find a way to lien on their property. In my state, I have to have a money judgment from the court to seize assets or bank accounts, and the garnishee wages.

Great News- You saved lots money by not investing yourself or in systems that help you.

Now how much has your lack of training costed you?

Do you still think you are ahead? If so you don't have to do anything at all expect contact that bankruptcy attorney -your hobby is going to break you. But if you want to operate a TRUE business, then you will need first get a judgement and court order to remove your existing deadbeat tenants. I do hope that they are at least giving you a thank you card as YOU allowed them to live a specific life style for free.

Your number one priority should be getting these folks out before they cost you more money by 1) damaging the place more 2) staying there longer without paying.

You are the instructor in the landlord tenant relationship. If you don't like the results, learn how to train your residents. At this point though, you appear more focused on collecting back due money than getting rid of the leeches.