Last week I was feeling blessed. Michael went 100 miles north before turning East, which meant the Eye did not travel directly through my county as predicted. We still got the east side of a Cat 4. We had evacuated for 52 hours and upon returning, found NO structural damage to any of my properties. YEAH! Lost way too many beautiful trees, including two 75+ year old live oaks. But still very thankful.

Yesterday, had maintenance return to a property that we have been trying to find leak since mid Sept. Older mobile home that I bought (some say stole). We had roof repair/weatherized, re-caulk all window, doors, etc...They were pulling the sheet rock, and found that ugly 4-letter word that as LLs we hate to hear. And as far as maintenance could tell it continued on behind the kitchen cabinets. What they did see was the roof and the walls were separating and since this MH also had a secondary drip eve 12" below the roof, that panel was also was separating. You could see daylight.

Realizing that the house was not safe, I wrote a letter terminating the M2M lease, effective Nov 15th, and refunded SD,Sept, Oct rent and of course no charge for November.

The tenants are begging not to move. They'll rent camper until we get it fix, we love it here, it's the holidays, etc., etc. Of course I being careful with my words. "I can't ask to stay here. You can't live in a construction zone. It wouldn't be safe". I ended the discussion with "I haven't had time to really wrap my head around everything, with Michael and all. I'm not sure what we are going to do". I hugged them both and left them standing on the porch crying.

I feel horrible. But as ya'll know, if I know a house is NOT safe I can not rent it. My head says I did the right thing. I even went online and printed out web search in their price range, allows pets, with contact information.

So why do I feel so bad, worried and scared?

If they are good tenants, and you would like to keep them, give them a rough time frame to how long you think the repair or replacement will take and that you will call them when it is done so they will be the first to know it is available and that it will probably be at a higher price. They may want to stay with relatives or rent a camper for that time.

They must understand that nobody can control the weather/circumstances for the inconvenience. Do encourage them to come back if you want them, like Linda said.

Sounds like you did the right thing. you have a heart, but/and must run the business responsibly.

@ally(nj) My letter stated that I would be happy to give them a verbal or written recommendation.

@linda(ny) I did not commit to anything at our meeting b/c I still needed time to process everything. And not just their situation. I dealing with properties that look like a bomb went off in the yards. I am not complaining, I had no structural damage to my houses.

I was sincerely blessed, trust me I know.

Two doors West, can't see the house for fallen trees, and not little trees,huge,roots and all. I think I saw a glimpse of one of his trucks. Four doors east, Live Oak through their kitchen.

Shaun,I will "positive-think" your situation. What would I do? After having a good cry, I would get bids on the repair of the structure, rejoining what separated and creating a water-tight seal. Balance the cost of this against having steady incoming rent. Do what will get you(and them) thru the winter. Then, when you have time to do the proper research and make a plan, you can decide if it is worth putting further $ into it, or maybe just buy a better unit to replace it. Yes, that will cost too, junking and removing the old unit is a daunting task in itself. Moving in and connecting the new one is ANOTHER daunting task. But when done,you will have a better unit that will make money for you for YEARS.

Not worth fixing - believe me - I have done over 400 for a weatherization project.

EDPM roof can be laid over and fastened in under a 1/2 day but the mold and other renovations is simply not worth it

Guaranteed tenants cant find another place after the storm- oh well

crush it- Lowes had Katrina Cottages - pre packaged - ready to build for ~$40,000