deadbeat garage tenant

bowlofdicks +1\. Haven’t you just exercised 4 years and $3500+ of diplomacy? It’s meaningless to “speak to them.” Your word against theirs in terms of what you spoke about or whether any agreement. You or your attorney needs to put notice in writing and get them the hell out of your garage, regardless of whether they own property next door. Stay away from “helping” them figure out how they’ll accomplish their exit. And btw, don’t be surprised if your neighbor expresses bitterness about outcome whether you give them 1 day or 100.

ventilated

in About Brooklyn 11 years and 4 months ago

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tsarina | 11 years and 4 months ago

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I have rented 1/2 of my garage to a neighbor who owns the building next to me for 10 years. Four years ago financial troubles and personal troubles made it hard for him to pay the rent. Trying to be nice (big mistake) I let things slide and now the balance owed is over $3500\. I now have a potential tenant who will pay the full rent and fix up the garage. How should I try to get my back rent (or part of it) and then get his car out of there? Any advice from the crowd here at Brownstoner?

bowlofdicks | 11 years and 4 months ago

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4 years is a long time to just “let it slide” so I would forget about recouping any money. (Especially if there is no lease agreement?) Give him a written 30 days notice before having the car removed. Even a month-to-month parking arrangement should have some signed document between parties stating that the car will be removed if rent is not paid.

daveinbedstuy | 11 years and 4 months ago

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I’d consult a lawyer but I would bet you can just send him a notice and then have the car removed after 30 days.

nancyk | 11 years and 4 months ago

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make sure you have a written agreement with the new tenant that includes a provision for calling a default for non-payment of rent and which spells out your rights in that event. it should be similar to what is in an apartment lease.

nancyk | 11 years and 4 months ago

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i am not a landlord tenant lawyer, but i think you need to give him 30-days notice and then start a proceeding to evict him. do not have the car towed. you could be sued.

ventilated | 11 years and 4 months ago

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It’s never a mistake (big or small) to behave as a decent and nice human being. Doesn’t mean you won’t be bitten; does mean that you did the right thing. Is your rental agreement in writing? Are you also saying the car’s been in your garage for four years without being moved or driven? Depending on your rental agreement terms, not only send 30-day notice, but also notice of abandoned vehicle. Definitely speak with your attorney so that notice is properly delivered. I doubt you’ll recoup past rent, but either write it off or consider filing a small claims case. Also, read this, and consider a visit to your local precinct: http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/989/abandoned-vehicle

nancyk | 11 years and 4 months ago

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going to the local precinct is a waste of time if the car is on your property as opposed to public property.

ventilated | 11 years and 4 months ago

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nancyk, a little reading comprehension, or further reading, often goes a long way. From the abandoned vehicle link: “The City removes derelict vehicles from private property for a fee.” From DSNY link about derelict vehicles: “If the vehicle has a license plate, do not fill out this form. Please contact your police precinct.” http://www.nyc.gov/html/dsny/html/contact/vehicle_form.shtml

deano | 11 years and 4 months ago

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i can understand the 30 days, but eviction?? makes it sounds like cars have tenancy rights. i would have thought this would be more like what happens when you stop paying your storage-unit bills; you get a heads-up, then at some point later your stuff gets tossed.

brokelin | 11 years and 4 months ago

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Yep. I wouldn’t automatically think that tenants rights to notice and 30 days and evictions would apply to garages … the tenant laws apply to living spaces. I would think your agreement to rent a garage would be governed by different laws. Give notice, for sure, as you don’t want to take someone’s property if they will remove it themselves if given notice – far easier for you, and less chance of being accused of taking someone’s property. Forget the back rent. Tell your neighbor that you have a paying tenant, and that the tenant will be moving their car in in X days (I think it could be very short, like almost immediate), and that you have decided to rent it. Who in their right mind would not move their car? They got away with free rent for this long, do they expect to do so forever? Likely not. I’m assuming the car runs, and can be driven off, as you didn’t say it didn’t run. If they refuse to move it citing some law that gives them more time, then check out the law. I’m not sure what the problem with talking to your neighbor is. It seems to me that this, being your next door neighbor, and that you let them use your garage without paying rent, is more a neighbor/friend issue than a renter issue. Get them to move the car, that shouldn’t be hard, then rent it out. If you want to take your neighbor to small claims court, do so … though you likely won’t, or you would have addressed the nonpayment of rent situation by now.

tsarina | 11 years and 4 months ago

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Thanks all for your input. Neighbor is property owner hence some diplomacy was needed for future consideration. I spoke to them and said that I had new tenants and had to have him out in 30 days. I even suggested that since I am scrapping my car that that might be the way to go for him. He balked at 30 days but we will see what happens.,..

bowlofdicks | 11 years and 4 months ago

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“He balked at 30 days but we will see what happens.,..” Of course he did….because he’s relying on YOU to enable his irresponsibility.