So I won the case.
But not before Judge Judy called me a mean landlord. After I exposed lie after lie, one of the tenants stormed out of the room. She never came back but her girlfriend claimed she had manic depression and begged for forgiveness and a second (10th? chance)
Ironically the 5 minute adjournment at this point gave Judge Judy the chance to check the legislation which gives her no discretion in this case.. none. That was when Judy got narky cos it was out of her control and she and the remaining tenant pressured me for clemency.
I didn’t give them that but agreed that I wouldn’t seek an eviction warrant before 25th April so they have another 2 months to get out, plus the 4 weeks notice they already have. I think thats as reasonable as I can be given the 4 months of lies and deception which they continued with in the hearing.
Interestingly the fact the the rent was unpaid at the hearing and late the previous 3 months, the unpaid water bill and the unapproved pet could not be used as part of this hearing and at the end of the day, nothing that was said changed the fact that there was no discretion under the legislation for non payment of bond, even if it is paid post notice to vacate.
Was really angry at the judge for taking into account tenants personal circumstances (that based on history may or may not have been true), but then shutting me down when I tried the explain the impact on my family and then calling me a mean landlord (value judgement much?). I could have had them out a lot sooner but agreed to an extension.
But not before Judge Judy called me a mean landlord. After I exposed lie after lie, one of the tenants stormed out of the room. She never came back but her girlfriend claimed she had manic depression and begged for forgiveness and a second (10th? chance)
Ironically the 5 minute adjournment at this point gave Judge Judy the chance to check the legislation which gives her no discretion in this case.. none. That was when Judy got narky cos it was out of her control and she and the remaining tenant pressured me for clemency.
I didn’t give them that but agreed that I wouldn’t seek an eviction warrant before 25th April so they have another 2 months to get out, plus the 4 weeks notice they already have. I think thats as reasonable as I can be given the 4 months of lies and deception which they continued with in the hearing.
Interestingly the fact the the rent was unpaid at the hearing and late the previous 3 months, the unpaid water bill and the unapproved pet could not be used as part of this hearing and at the end of the day, nothing that was said changed the fact that there was no discretion under the legislation for non payment of bond, even if it is paid post notice to vacate.
Was really angry at the judge for taking into account tenants personal circumstances (that based on history may or may not have been true), but then shutting me down when I tried the explain the impact on my family and then calling me a mean landlord (value judgement much?). I could have had them out a lot sooner but agreed to an extension.
