problems of absentee landlords/property owners

[mabel normand]

A story I read online yesterday:
"Until last week, Carl Kopsho had no idea that the man who collected 800-dollars from him every month was not legally his landlord. Deputies say a man pretended to own a house in Silver Springs Shores, Florida and rented it to Kopsho, 34, and his girlfriend, Heather Peteck, 23, without the knowledge of the owner, who lives in New York. In January, Kopsho needed a new place to live. Tyrone Grain told him he was in the process of a divorce and wanted to rent out his house. It was close to where Kopsho was already living, so he signed a lease, paid the first and last months' rent and, in early February, moved in. Grain refused to accept checks, saying he had been ripped off in the past, and collected the cash in person at the beginning of each month. According to a sheriff's office report, the deed-holder, Sebastian Wagner, called authorities last week to say he suspected someone was living at his Marion County property, which was supposed to be vacant. Deputies are still investigating the case and have not located the man who called himself Tyrone Grain."

I have never heard of this happening before, but that doesn't mean it hasn't. What are your 'nightmare' stories as an absentee landlord?

[stevekelly]

Hi
I don’t have so much idea regarding this subject. Just I suggest you to take steps accordingly.

[omnisource]

Wow, I have never heard of this. I am an absentee landlord but I have property managers who are paid to look after my properties, vacant or rented. Even then I always have a person in the area ( realtor etc) to check on my properties also to make sure all is going ok with the property managers. I wonder how many months of rent did this guy take. He must have been watching this home and seen it was vacant for awhile, just unbelievable.