Dear friends, Sadly, the tenant that ended up renting my mom's studio turned out to be a real case. He's not even into his first month and he's already showed his true, ugly colors. Long story short, he's an alcoholic, has stopped going to work , and has (obviously) made the neighbors uncomfortable. He's also not mexican, but british. So my question to you is: what would you reccomend doing? since he's a foreigner, should I go to any special offices to handle this? should I just proceed "normally" and get the police involved and kick him out? Any advice is very appreciated... thanks! Camilo
I personally don't think the fact that he's foreign should have anything to do with your decision making. If he's causing that much of a problem, as a landlord it's your job to talk with him yourself, make him aware that the neighbors feel uncomfortable with his presence and try to come to a compromise. Try to help him out before you make any radical decisions like evicting him.
Thanks Fletch Fletch, Thanks for your input. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against foreigners, I have friends all over the world; I only brought it up because I cant believe that somebody would behave like that, worse, at a country thats not theirs. I think you risk much more by misbehaving at a country that its not YOUR country. That was my point, nothing else. I'll try and talk to him, but if he's not willing to cooperate, I'll probably not be willing to waste more time and just get him kicked out. Thanks, Camilo
Does he have a rental contract? Presumably so. Has he broken the terms of that contract? If he has it should be a straightforward (albeit likely costly) legal process to have him evicted, especially if he's only one month into it. But if he hasnt, then you cant really kick someone out just because he drinks too much and the neighbours are 'uncomfortable'. I agree with Fletch, the fact that he's foreign shouldn't really come into it. The process would be just the same regardless.
The thing is... ... that he's not only making the neighbors uncomfortable; he's also making the adjoining house guests decide to leave the house, which also belongs to my mom. Now, if somebody would start making your board members leave, I'm sure you'd go all the way to get rid of him, wouldn't you? Ah, if only real life was as easy as banning someone from a board.
Also... ... last time my mom went to charge the rent, he was VERY aggressive to her. I don't know about you, but I always show respect for people, no matter who they are. And I expect the same in return. Next time, I'll go with my mom; if he gets aggressive and offensive, then my respect for him will cease and I will have to deal with him. I never look for trouble and I'm all for dialogue and trying to resolve things peacefully. But I also have limits, like everybody.
maybe ask him to leave and tell him that it is not working out and offer him 1 month free if he agrees to leave peacefully and amicably within the specified time frame?
Re: The thing is... It's a tenuous comparison, but yeah everyone agrees to terms of use (a contract of sorts) when they register to the board, and if they break them then that is a way to get rid of them. If members dont break the terms of the 'contract' then I have no reason to ban them or ask them to leave, and I dont. In your and your Mom's case, best to go see a lawyer with your contract, tell them what's going on and see what your legal position is.
Absolutely consult your lawyer first before anything, they'll look into it, and more than likely find out if booting him is a just solution
I wish you the best of luck, Camilo. Same thing happened to me, in 2008. Actually worse since in June he decided (and told me) he was not going to pay one more rent. He was an American, he was doing drugs (I know it for a fact, I live +/- in the same apartment), he was illegal in the country. I had a contract, notarized and approved by the juzgados. Same, after the contract was signed, he showed his true face, which was not really nice. People told me... oh, he is a foreigner, it will be easy to get rid of him. Oh yeah!!!!!!!!! Some members on this board with good relations tried to help me, to no avail. I had to go to France, like every year, so I contracted a lawyer and paid him 5,000 pesos. He did nothing. I solved it the Mexican way. Once, the police came, they arrested him, released him within 30 minutes (guess why). My lawyer completely disappeared (guess why). Some neighbors alerted me. When I came back from France mid October, he had left, leaving my studio completely destroyed. I guess he got scared. I went to the juzgados, to try to get my studio back.... they did nothing. I guess I am still illegal in my own apartment. Well.... he never showed up again. Actually, he was the first big issue that made me decide to leave the country (not because of the tenant, but because of the corruption). There have been some more afterward. I would suggest you to do something similar. There is a law, but nobody gives a damn about it. I recently contracted another lawyer for the next issue, she just "stole" my money. she is a scam. Let rather your imagination work. But don't give your money for nothing.
