Advice on how to deal with tenant over-extending their stay (Sunrise: real estate, lease)

[Stray_Dude]

Looking for the best way on how to deal with a tenant issue, before I approach a lawyer.

I was renting a condo in Sunrise, and the lease expired at the end of April. I have no deposit on hand anymore (long story). The lease was to an older gentleman who required a caregiver, who lived with him, as well as her child. The lease is only in the gentleman's name, but all my dealings have been with the caregiver, who has been very difficult to deal with.

At this point, the lease ended at the end of April, and I'm not sure if anyone is still in there. A few days before the end of April, there was some emergency with the caregiver's child and police came over, and called me to get access. The caregiver's friend eventually came over to open the place up, and I found out that they had not packed anything up, and sometime in May there were lights on in the condo.

I've sent letters asking for the key to the lock and the mailbox key, but they've ignored my letters. I don't live in S. Florida, so it has been tough for me to find out what is going on. I had a realtor go by but she could not get in, because the tenant apparently changed the locks.

I am avoiding throwing more money at a lawyer to deal with this, until I know it really is an eviction situation, because I have contacted eviction lawyers and they don't want to even listen to what's going on, just anxious to do an eviction for $500. I don't know where to find info on my rights -- can I switch electricity in my name? Can I get a locksmith to open the property for me? If so, what if I find stuff (furniture, clothes, etc) in there? Do I dump that stuff in the trash? Is this something that I can call the police for to come over with me while I get the locksmith?

I want to make sure I follow the law, but don't want to waste more money on this place. I know I should not expect legal advice from here, but wondering if someone could point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

[LifeIsGood01]

You should ask in the Real estate section, most likely in the renting section, since someone is renting the place from you
//www.city-data.com/forum/renting/

[AlexRodriguez]

Your only option is to follow the eviction process and as soon as you start the better. Don't change anything, don't trash anything 'cause If you choose to ignore the law, you'll make things worse for yourself.

[harry chickpea]

$500 is cheap for a fix. Just do it.

[LifeIsGood01]

They are not supposed to change the locks, so you have to deal with it and find out the laws to change locks again so you have the keys.

As far as furniture left you might have to store it for a month. Look into the laws, like I said before this is not a Florida forum issue and I provided the link for you to get better answers.

[Cubanchic]

Send them a notice to vacate to be served to tenant personally or posted on the the door with a picture of it. It is a I think a seven or 15 day notice after that go through the eviction process which 500.00 if cheap to do and the sheriff will eventually remove them and thier property to the curb at which time you can change the locks.

I have to do the same process with a tenant with similar issues so count on at least a thirty to fifty day process from start to finish.