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Help me understand why its the landlords fault if a tenant does not pay rent

My inlaws have a tenant they have been trying to evict since June 09 they have not paid rent since Sept. They lived in the apartment for 6 years and have been late paying every month for the entire time. My inlaws felt bad (they even gave them rides to work many times) and allowed this to go on for so long but when they were having a hard time paying their own bills they said enough is enough. My inlaws are headed towards bankruptcy with these people because they are elderly and this is thier only income. These people literally walk around with bibles and act holy but I feel it is a big sham. They have gone to court 3 times already and the tenant keeps changing the dates of the court dates and then today claims they had no idea when the court date actually was when they were the ones who changed the date. They couldnt get thier story staight in front of the judge and then started acting all confused even thought they are the ones who keep changing it. They now claim they need more time to consult a lawyer and the judge granted them another week. I don't understand!!! How can this go on? It is af the judge doesn't even hear the landlords side. Even the lawyer my inlaws have don't understand. My inlaws said everytime she sat in court 3 times for entire days she did not hear one favor for the landlord. How long can these people live here without paying rent. They should have money because they have not paid for six months and should be getting their taxes. By the way we watched them get new furniture delivered and they seem to have cookouts all the time even in the winter. They live next door.

Editor's Response

Yes . . . to say that the process of evicting bad tenants can be frustrating for a landlord would be the understatement of the century.  The only thing I can tell you and your in-laws is to stick to it.  If you follow all the rules and file all the paperwork, eventually, the tenants have to go.  Good luck. 

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