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Emergency! I need some help! (Real Estate & Property Law)

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 21:49:00 GMT

What is the name of your state?
Missouri.
here is my case:
I got a legal problem and tomorrow I will consult an attorney but before everything, I really hope somebody can give some idea.
I just purchased an apartment building couple of days ago, when my
inspector went to attic in one unit, tenant of that unit was not there,
I was down there to hold the ladder for him, in that narrow space, I had to look downwards because in front of my face was wall. I unintentionally saw a bill statement saying "serious delinquency" sth like that. and I asked the seller, did the tenant pay the rents on time? the seller asked why ,and I said I noticed a delinquency note. I finally bought that apartment and I don't know for what reason, the seller called the tenant who lives there and told her that "I went through her belongings and peeked her privacy" and she is very mad at me, saying that she is gonna sue me for " privacy violation" , also, she said I committed an "federal offense" by delivering paperwork to her mailbox, she said I can mail it but can't physically touch her mailbox. She said the seller and realtor were all there and can go to court as witnesses. God, I never meet the tenant before, and I really don't have any interests in her stuff. Before I purchased the property, I pointed out that the seller showed me some fake numbers in the income-cost profile sheet and I guess this is the reason she called the tenants , provoking the fight between tenant and me.
What can I do ? what is the consequence if I am found guilty?
I didn't even touch anything, the delinquent bill was in front of my face, and unless I closed my eyes, otherwise I had to see it.
Is delievering paperwork to tenants' mailbox a "federal offense"?
Please advise , I understand your advice is not formal and I will finally consult with a professional lawyer but please give me some of your ideas!
Thank you!
btw:When I saw that bill, the inspector was in attic and he didn't see anything. but realtor can be a witness, she was behind me standing
together with the owner.
Also, when this thing happened, I was not even a landlord, I was
just a potential buyer, the owner and realtor let me in there.
they let me stood in front of that letters and after I saw that bill,
they physically picked up and studied over. I just saw it and I didn't
touch it.
also, I don't think delinquency bill is so private because I notice another delinquent bill hang on a door knob of another unit which everybody
can see.
seems if that information is so private, how come the
utility company put the bill and disconnection notice
in such a public place?

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  • Comments
  • Thu, 22 Dec 2005 23:11:00 GMT(1)
  • You do NOT have a legal problem!
    You have a MOUTH and a LACK OF EXPERIENCE problem!
    You should NOT have opened your mouth to tjhe seller about seeing the bill in the tenant's apt. That tenant will be trouble - I'm not guessing - I know! As for her suing you for invasion of her privacy - it ain't gonna happen. She is just laying the groundwork for NOT paying rent.
    Evict her NOW!
    As for the mailbox. The mailbox belongs to the post office and you CANNOT put anything in it with paying postage. BUT, I have NEVER heard of the PO suing someone for putting some papers in the mailbox. IMO, you have nothing to worry about. If she tries to sue you, an Attorny will laugh at her. If she goes Small Claims, the Judge will laugh at her!
    If you do NOT know how to evict the tenant - get an Attorny or learn how.
    Also, be prepared to LOSE thousands of dollars before you learn the trade.
  • Thu, 22 Dec 2005 22:09:00 GMT(2)
  • Sirena7cs, can you please explain a little more?
    I really need some help coz I am a newbie and I admit this is the
    first time I be a landlord. To make things worse, this thing happened
    after I purchased the building.
  • Fri, 23 Dec 2005 12:39:00 GMT(3)
  • Ellerge,
    Thank you so much for the post!
    I already consulted with lots of attorney and they said there should not
    be any trouble for me coz they don't think the tenant loss anything or she
    can claim any loss on this issue.
    I understand you are right and I suspect this tenant long time ago but
    I have to inherit all old leases the prior owner signed with the tenant.
    I haven't found any excuse to evict her. Another issue is, as I said, I
    pointed out the prior owner faked some numbers on the income profile sheet,
    tried to hide deposit and prorated rents from me, and after I pointed out ,
    she got personal with me, and now she still keep calling my tenants , trying to provoke some war, I am afraid that she may even physically make some
    damage to the building and try to make me liable for that.
    Is there any way that I can apply for a restraining order against the prior owner?
  • Thu, 22 Dec 2005 21:57:00 GMT(4)
  • I am not trying to be rude, or un-helpful, but do you really think at this stage of the game that you are ready to be a landlord with all it might entail?
  • Fri, 23 Dec 2005 13:18:00 GMT(5)
  • Quote:

    Originally Posted by donaldmo1010

    Ellerge,
    Thank you so much for the post!
    I already consulted with lots of attorney and they said there should not
    be any trouble for me coz they don't think the tenant loss anything or she
    can claim any loss on this issue.
    I understand you are right and I suspect this tenant long time ago but
    I have to inherit all old leases the prior owner signed with the tenant.
    I haven't found any excuse to evict her. Another issue is, as I said, I
    pointed out the prior owner faked some numbers on the income profile sheet,
    tried to hide deposit and prorated rents from me, and after I pointed out ,
    she got personal with me, and now she still keep calling my tenants , trying to provoke some war, I am afraid that she may even physically make some
    damage to the building and try to make me liable for that.
    Is there any way that I can apply for a restraining order against the prior owner?


    **A: do you always have a habit of making a huge drama out of every litle thing?
  • Leave a Comment Now.

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