[Dantilla]

I am a landlord.

Number one: Know the landlord/tennant laws for your area.

Number one: The best way to loose a bad tennant is to not rent to them in the first place. My screening standards are very high, and they are in writing. Either you qualify, or you don't. Everybody goes through the same proccess, everything is documented. This keeps everybody from discussing things in front of a judge.

Something to get BEFORE you begin: Buy the book "Landlording" by Leigh Robinson. It's available through Amazon, and answers about every question imaginable, in a very easy reading style. Lots of great ideas, and lots of sample forms to use.

I am not afraid of attorneys. I sold my first house to an attorney. No problems. I have rented to attorneys. No problems. Some people are jerks, and smell easy targets. If they quickly learn that you know what you're doing, and are not afraid of them, they know they are wasting time with you, and begin behaving themselves. Worst case scenario, any attorney who is renting doesn't want to go up against my attorney, who is a partner at one of the biggest law firms in town.

Sometimes people need to be told the facts of life. You have to be careful what you say when giving references for former tennants. The three standard questions can be answered with a simple yes or no, so there is no "opinion" of a former tennant that could be construed as slander.
-Did they pay the rent on time? Yes or no.
-Were there any complaints about them from other tennants?
And here's the biggie-
-Would you rent to them again in the future?

If you say no, that is a simple fact. They can argue "Hey- I always paid my rent on time" or anything else they want, but you are only answering a simple question truthfully. Would I rent again to you? No way. Enough said. Have a nice life. The thought of having a bad recomendation is enough to make some people behave.

Good luck, and a drive through some twisty roads in the Porsche is good therapy now and then.