Unauthorized occupants in rental
Location: New York
Alright it might be a little long so I’m sorry in advance.
My husband and I own a rental. The family that currently rents it is a husband, wife, and 3 kids. It’s about 1200 sqft and has 3 bedrooms total. Large master and two smaller. The rental family has been there for 2 years. Paid rent on time, few things here and there but no major issues.
Recently it’s come to my attention that there is at least one other family and another individual living at the home. I have had complaints from neighbors about garbage all over, rats from the garbage, and them taking up the street with parking. They’ve also enrolled multiple kids into the school without us (my husband and I) knowing. I stopped by to see them and talked to the main renter. I told him I know there’s way more people living here than what is on the lease and they have to leave by the end of the week. The wife of the renter sent my husband a slew of messages stating that I was causing a scene and forcing them to throw family (apparently the ones in the house with them are family) out on the street. Also to add this is the second time we have told them the other unauthorized occupants need to leave. They have been there long enough where we have had to replace the entire septic system due to overcrowding. We have not done a walk through of the home so i’m not sure what the rest of the house looks like and how they are even all living in there. I am concerned regarding fire safety. The tenant was very short with me and he did not seem happy I told the others to leave. My husband is now mad that I may have screwed up a good tenant. I personally feel I am looking after our investment. What can I legally do, as we are now afraid of squatters