Q: What are our rights as landlords holding tenants for willful destruction of property?
Had a rent to own agreement with a couple who have split. She moved out he stayed on but recently stopped paying rent. We inspected the property and found dog feces throughout, they did not ask permission to have pets, animals were neglected and we had to call ani al control to have them removed. We also discovered that, in anticipation of buying the house, they, along with the help of the wife's father, started renovating, again, without permission. Flooring has been ripped up, wall paper stripped, light fixtures removed, walls opened up, everything left unfinished. The cost of clean up and repairs will be in the thousands, far and above the security deposit. How can we hold the couple and her father responsible for the clean up and repairs?
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A: You are not limited to the security deposit by law. You can sue them for the costs to clean and repair of the house unless your agreement prevents it.
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