Landlord/Seller Tries To Steal Someone's Home

[@speedmastermarkiii]

My parents signed a rent-to-own contract in 1968 for $12,000 which stated that if they hadn't repaid the full amount by 1972 the house would return to the landlord and my parents would lose all equity. The landlord was supremely confident he'd pulled a fast one on a couple of naive immigrants and he'd get the house back. He never did: they made the final payment with a week to spare. Today that house, still in my mother's name, is worth well over a million dollars.

[@dimertri]

I love how Judge Middleton is so active in his community that he knows people who are more than six degrees outside of his periphery. It really speaks to his character and how much he cares.

[@theresagarcia4892]

What a sleazy guy. How much you want to bet the “owner “ wants to make a new contract for more money with someone else so he can make more money?

[@LawNerdsUnite]

I'd bet the value of that house on it.

[@Gerlad970]

The lawyer for the plaintiff has a crook for a client as the plaintiff is trying to make even more money by trying to illegally take the property back. The lawyer only has what the crooked plaintiff has given him.

[@patgal2359]

The plaintiff has a lousy lawyer

[@actuallowroller]

Sleezy landlord is saying his grounds for claiming the property back because the property is diminished but the defendants are purchasing the property and have been living there for six years. Nope. Despicable.

[@Katherinedawn25]

Please, this is a case of a schemer vs. a pair of scammers.

[@RoseKindred]

@@Katherinedawn25 So, on what basis are they? Honest question. They (the couple looking to own) are saying they are current up to the last few months when the "owner" stopped taking it. The couple is allowed to alter the house to suit them if they are buying, the only downside would be their responsibility for restoring it to previous conditions if they lose the house before the 100+ term.

[@annagarner1280]

Just a nother SCAMMING SLEEZBALL LANDLORD....Wants the $$$ but not the responsibility of ownership....turns everything repair wise over to rent to own tenants....TYPICAL DIRTBAG !!!!

[@carolesmith4864]

@@Katherinedawn25 The landlord/seller told them he wanted the money in cash, would come around to collect it, and then didn't. Then, he lays the claim that they didn't pay. How can they pay if he won't come around to collect it? They have the money to pay him, that will go into escrow. The landlord/seller is the schemer/scammer here. He dreamed up this way to get back the property. Maybe he regretted the lease/sell. Maybe someone came along who wants the property and will pay more money.

[@SunshineBear17]

@@Katherinedawn25what? Explain what the tenants did wrong?

[@johndawson7121]

I bet the owner is mad that he sold a house in 2018 worth 45k…. And today he technically owns it getting peanuts for payments and the house is worth 120k

[@cl9949]

Classic case of how he wanted to have his cake and eat it too. Sometimes you’re the one who sells low. It happens. Get over it and move on. Don’t try to rip off honest people. Hundreds of payments made!!!

[@tamaraperras9853]

Some judges are national treasures. Judge Middleton is one of them.

[@ivydickson7596]

Thank you judge for seeing this guy for what he is. Wanting to sell the house but then taking half the funds and trying to get them out so he can have his house back. How can his lawyer not see this?

[@DevilOnlyKnitsLace]

@@ivydickson7596 The lawyer knows his client is shady. He doesn't care, because the client has paid his fees.

[@madmonalisa]

LOVE THIS JUDGE!!! HE IS FAIR AND NICE HE CARES ABOUT HIS COMMUNITY KNOWS EVERYONE AND TRIES TO HELP PPL BUT HE HAS 2 FOLLOW THE LAW! WE NEED MORE JUDGE LIKE HIM AND JUDGE SIMPSON!

[@kevinking7991]

He wants to be paid in cash? The guy is shady.

[@lisastefani169]

And not giving the tenants receipts for that cash? Yep, he's not claiming that money as income for taxes owed. And he thinks he can argue non-payment BS because they can't show receipts. Illegal stuff going on by the landlord all over this deal.

[@gazcross3926]

What a sleaze of a landlord/owner. He just wants to get the property back to rent it at a higher price/rent ... or to sell it to someone else, all for money. What a farce. These people have been making their payments, for all this time and deserve ownership,

[@cynthiasaracino7114]

That poor couple, crooked landlord. Mr Bland was more interested in his coffee than showing up prepared. The judge is awesome.

[@jamesdostie3556]

Did this plainiff and his weasel lawyer really think they were going to slide one past this judge? I fkn love Judge Middleton,he is the master is this field of tenant vs landlord disputes.Don't go in his court and think your going to out smart this judge,you'll just end up looking like a fool and waste your money,do whats right and don't waste the courts time.

[@sharonbosley6028]

If the landlord says; the tenants can't make any upgrade his property until they own the house? How can he try to bring them to court for them not keeping the property up?

[@Katherinedawn25]

There is a big difference between mowing the lawn and remodeling the kitchen.

[@stephaniels5421]

Maintenance vs. renovations

[@Gauge-j6z]

Wait what? 😂 I can't pay attention right now I missed where they said that. All the excuses sounds like excuse reason to evict them keeps changing.

[@tashahenderson3060]

Do you really not understand the difference??

[@vickibogataj5546]

But if they are buying the house, then they are able to make changes to their living environment especially if they have paid half of the amount due. Just have to see the pictures. I had owned 8 rental property's and sold 2 on rent to own, and they made many additional changes to benefit the property's value. Just saying

[@Davllewis]

First it was a nonpayment of taxes, then a nonpayment of rent and now it’s a dirty yard. This “cash only” landlord is SKETCHY!

[@janicewolk6492]

The landlord is trying to rip off the tenants. The landlord filed that action to have an excuse to create arrears. Cash payments with no receipts? They have a rent to own so they have equitable ownership under some states' laws. Plaintiff is a crook.

[@loisverhaeghe7980]

THOSE TENANTS SHOULD NEVER HAVE AGGREED TO A CASH ONLY PAYMENT , THEY NEED TO DEMAND A RECEIPT .

[@hankc1208]

youre in trouble when judge middleton folds his arms

[@jaiyiddah]

I’m convinced this judge knows everyone in the county. The funniest was an eviction case and he told the tenants they destroyed the house bcuz he knows that it used to look like bcuz his aunt lived there for a while 😂😂

[@1927su]

We love Judge Middleton!

[@phobos258]

Judge Middleton is the best judge. He has his moments, but overall he's very fair, reasonable and well spoken.

[@LawNerdsUnite]

He puts up with a lot of crap and practices restraint better than most!

[@superleggenda]

Amazing how people enter contracts without having a lawyer check them. And to buy a home, which for most of us is THE most significant purchase, period.

[@annevp4790]

Did anyone else see the lawyer for the tenants pick his nose and eat it??? That was disgusting.

[@jenniferjaska5889]

Yessssssomg he even looked at it

[@bordereau1]

I.can't.even........that was pretty disgusting

[@spencers4121]

@@jenniferjaska5889 How else would you know if it's a keeper or a flicker. :D

[@lovettaghubert4083]

Yes 😂😂😂😂

[@kimberlyheckler8453]

I s a w i t. N o w I c a n' t u n s e e i t. 😂

[@ariannewdnotbe]

Speaking as a very experienced trial lawyer, both lawyers aren’t properly prepared, but the landlord’s attorney really mishandled this. The judge is completely correct.

[@DMCrapser1951]

Hey OP let’s keep on this case so we can see what happens. Thanks

[@LawNerdsUnite]

I will be posting any further appearances in this case as they happen! Thanks for your comment!

[@dorothydickinson7976]

He wants cash payment so they have no record of payment, it seems very sketchy as to the landlord doing fraud .

[@carolesmith4864]

Exactly. Oh, I forgot my receipt book, I'll give it to you next time.

[@SHADLESKY-z8x]

The owners are trying to royally screw the "rent to buy" people. Bet this is a manufactured home, being sold to people of relatively low income. I've seen this scam before.. Im selling a home but I used a land sales contract written by a lawyer, a title company and an escrow company to make sure all is above board and legal. Apparently the sellers in this case did none of these things, and the buyers didn't know any better. Hope the judge can protect them.

[@Cthulhuismyhero]

Judge Middleton looks like he would be so awesome to hang out and have a few drinks and bullshit. Amazing human being. ❤

[@debbieturner8708]

Did Bush just pick his nose and eat it? Disgusting

[@MzButtaBiscuitz]

Okay I thought it was just me that seen it! 😮

[@patti9339]

Eewww. Yes! At the 6:48 mark! Booger picking following by eating. 👃🏻

[@spencers4121]

Just saw the same thing, was like wtf.

[@nancygodsey8312]

So the rent to own isn't even the plaintiffs lease? It's an LLC? Something shady going on here. Hopefully these folks don't get conned in the end.

[@craigjohnson3603]

I checked on properties that seemed to be too good of a deal, they were. A trailer on low lying land. No banks would finance just like an old used car.

[@SunshineBear17]

This guy isn’t going to win, at least hope not. How on earth would this be fair? I can understand if they weren’t paying rent, not paying taxes & trashing the place

[@SunshineBear17]

That landlord is a scumbag. How can ppl do this to others? I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing I did this to someone.

[@Creative-Chaos]

I don’t understand why landlords feel the need to be horrible human means. I am a landlord and I take care of my property, but I also don’t abuse my tenants. If the tenants come to me with the problem I fix it. It’s not hard to be a landlord and the same with be a decent person at the same time.

[@vesta41]

Did that attorney just pick his nose AND eat it on video?!

[@dianedoherty6713]

That's what I saw!!!

[@YourNextDoorNeighborA]

Up close & personal he was. Omg ughhhhh!! EWWWW!

[@lisaothen488]

I just gagged! So gross to see a grown man do this and on live video to boot!😮

[@TheWolfpackautomotiv]

He said snack I think so.

[@yanchee2023]

how is a renter responsibility for tax's, repairs and maintained and rent? and not own it? This seems fishy.

[@PurpleGator2000]

Rent your own option as well and in mini rent to own options are set up but you’re responsible you the renter/potential owner is responsible for all repairs and upkeep. My friend had to take care of all of her repair bills and everything sell. Call the plumber call contractors whatever it was it was needed. She was responsible for all of that herself, even though she was still renting the property, but she was renting would be option to own after so many years or so much money. I forget what the deal was but anyway it’s not fishy. It’s actually a common thing for landlords to do one of the reasons why they do a rent to own option is they don’t have to put up with all the responsibilities of repairs and upkeep and all that stuff.

[@yanchee2023]

@@PurpleGator2000 but they said that was the old agreement, and the new one is a month to month rental, so they still pay taxa's for the year ???

[@RoseKindred]

@@yanchee2023 I think the way the judge read it, the initial agreement is voided because it was not enforceable and the second agreement was not filed. If it is exactly the same, just a new name, it was still not enforceable (he hadn't fully read the second agreement yet). By default it goes to a month to month when no valid agreement is in place.

[@SaveUs7154]

What a pos lying landlord!! Om so glad thus judge saw thru it his bs!!!

[@dakotaslt232001]

The housing value can be diminished as it is paid off over time. Same thing with a car. A jury would see through the bullshit a mile away.

[@drafter3412]

Rotten landlord.... making tenants pay the property taxes?? Seriously??

[@billh2029]

Common in a rent to buy or land contract.

[@divinemischief4655]

There's definitely some skullduggery afoot with this "landlord"

[@gregf4416]

Sounds like they had a terrible contract and the plaintiff is trying to take advantage.

[@pollynga69]

Man, how will we find out what happens??? Im so invested in this case now. They're going to be in person and not on zoom. I'm rooting for the defendants. Somebody PLEASE let us know what happens.....

[@caymcvein174]

If they are paying for the property, shouldn't they be able to do what they wish? If a person has a mortgage is able to treat the property as they own it?

[@mimiprays8288]

That "owner" is trying to screw the tenants for sure. Never enter a deal like this without an attorney looking over the paperwork. Never pay cash without getting receipts. They've paid over half the total price and now the owner wants it back. 🤦‍♀️

[@LawNerdsUnite]

The fact that asshat was trying to take advantage of the buyers in that way makes me wonder how many times he's tried it before and how many were successful.

[@PurpleGator2000]

@@LawNerdsUnite more time spring we here to think about and it’s really sad you know just really is these people are desperate to buy a home and own a home and they enter into agreement like this because it may be the only way be able to afford to do it, you know and afford your own home and then they get crappy landlords like this person and you’ll get screwed out of that option and they resolve that money but they put into it so far and rent payments and repairs if they’re responsible for repairs some cases, they are some cases they are not a friend of mine did a deal like this and was responsible for all repairs herself

[@jillgott6567]

I have rented 11 years from same landlords. Every month I request a receipt. Yes I pay by check however, I want that receipt. And after all this time if i dont ask for it, I dont get it. So I ask. Also, they had wanted me to switch to paying by Venmo because a few other tenants do. I looked into it. Possible fees. Not always but there might be. So, nope. I pay by check they cash it write me a receipt which is dropped off ALL good to go until the next month. No computer glitches, no waiting period, no possible added fees.

[@kellyredinger5974]

Smart business!

[@wendysproule4817]

@6:40 the old lawyer picks his nose looks at the booger then eats it! Wtf???

[@Tinawhacha]

I saw that. It was gross! 🤢

[@lomein9320]

F÷×< that's so gross!

[@dellsteadman]

Maybe he was hungry give the old guy a break. I wonder if boogers have protein

[@hcronin6744]

Oh my goodness. I have NEVER seen an adult do that. Thank you for the time stamp. 😋🇦🇺

[@dellsteadman]

@@hcronin6744 you’ve really never seen an adult do that. You must not drive an automobile because all you have to do is look in the rearview mirror at a stop sign and you’ll see it all the time.

[@johnclark6190]

Landlord must provide a MAILING ADDRESS for official communications. Tenant can simply send him a check, no matter what he says. It is payment rendered. Oh, and let the court records show the payments RECEIVED by landlord so they are properly reported as INCOME. Cut through the BS

[@croach2194]

What a sleazy, sleazy home owner. He did not even mention the value of the property in the original complaint. It seems to me the tenant owns more of the house than the current "Owner" does.

[@allenwebster6329]

What happened is the owner probably had an investor that would give him more than 35k for the property and now want to kick them out and get abunch a money, thats what happened this happens alot with rent to own houses,the judge in this case sees right through this bs

[@Spherex]

6:45 Dude seriously just straight up ate a booger on live camera with zero shame. Unbelievably disgusting....

[@straightwhitemale966]

wow lol

[@dontlightmyfuse]

The woman has her ducks in a row!

[@lancelanier]

Love this judge. People get screwed by rent to own everyday.

[@janeelliott999]

And we had to watch this lawyer (Bush), pick his nose and EAT the contents…. What is wrong with people!!! GROSS

[@bordereau1]

🤮

[@Teenywing]

What a shitty low thing to do. People are so disgusting lately.

[@hcronin6744]

Is it because we see it on social media or was it always like this? In my 57 years, this last decade is the one that actually scares me. People don’t appear to have self respect or respect each other. It’s so sad. Blessings from 🇦🇺

[@deborahschultz3498]

So he’s going to put those poor people on hold because of a crook. They are buying. They are paying the taxes. That house is there’s.

[@MrGwwhite]

Victor is really digging deep in his bag of bs.

[@foofcat5895]

Plaintiff probably has an ARM mortgage and is losing money since rates went up, so he wants them out so he can sell it to someone else.

[@denisebailey8248]

Very interesting case thank you

[@Glotglot]

I can't believe that the attorney for dependents actually picked his nose, looked at what he took out of his nose, and ate it all on camera!

[@mojdeh003]

RENT-TO-OWN contracts are sleazy - always. The "owner" formulated the contract so that the RENTER pays all cost that would normally be paid by the owner: home repair, property taxes, roof repair, major appliance repair replacement, etc. Many times this is the only way some folks can actually attain their "home". They think they found a good deal thru private contracting instead going thru a financial institution. It is NOT until the final payment on the contract is made that the property ownership is transferred. In other words, legally the person paying on a Rent-to-Own is considered a renter, with full ownership pmt requirements, until the property is actually transferred. Meaning the RENTER pays property tax even though it is the legal OWNER'S obligation. ALSO, it should be considered that once 80% of the contract is fulfilled, the favor goes to the RENTER since he is now 80% owner of the property. About 75% of Rent-to-Own contracts fall thru and the property goes back to original owner who paid nothing - no taxes, no maintenance, nada --- causes much heartache. M

[@petermckinnon7102]

The tax department needs to look into this guy.

[@goldiegolden2254]

For sure. He knows everyone and all their ancestors and all their life history.

[@LawNerdsUnite]

He also seems to have Google Street Maps installed in his head. If you tell him an address anywhere in White Pigeon, Three Rivers or Centerville, he will tell you every single property adjacent and who's lived there for the last 50 years.

[@goldiegolden2254]

@ I know. I watch his court posts most every day. He is so compassionate, so caring. Can’t help but love him. I can hear him saying Well, they want you to MOVE.

[@LawNerdsUnite]

@ I love him too. He's like the grampa I never had. He's like everybody's grampa. I'll be doing a special at some point just Jeff Middleton.

[@caburg93]

If they are buying it, what difference does it make if the value changes? The purchase price has been decided! (I calculate 108 monthly payments as 9 years... it's been around 7 years.)

[@Gauge-j6z]

All the excuses sounds like excuse reason to evict them keeps changing.

[@kevinhoffman8214]

they should have had them "owner finanace" the property , most rent to owns are scams

[@BrittMariee31]

I hope the couple wins, you can tell they are a hardworking family amd are getting screwed by the plaintiff smh he even look like a scammer

[@jessicawiebrand2503]

Please tell me that at 6:46 I didn’t really see the attorney pick his nose, look at it and then eat it!!!

[@wildsage6852]

I DID I DID I DID!

[@johnll1693]

Oh he did, and he did eat something! WTF? 👀

[@patgal2359]

And bland doesnt know if the rent was due when the landlord sued?

[@tcash2402]

Did he just pick his nose and eat it at 6:50 nasty

[@maryhansen2802]

I saw the same thing. We might be the only two who did.

[@bordereau1]

​@nope....and he looked at it first......maryhansen2802

[@patgal2359]

How can he not know immediately how much they have paid so far? Its like the fundamental question.

[@DevilOnlyKnitsLace]

I get a kick when Judge Middleton asks someone how their mother is doing....

[@wildsage6852]

Did anyone see the lawyer pick his nose and eat it. Smh

[@lonewolf1401]

crook. give them the house.you can see through his deal.property value went up and he has a new person to buy at higher price....

[@jesstreloar7706]

Only accepting cash seems shady on the landlord/seller's part. How do you prove the payment in cash? Because he can always say they have to prove they paid him.

[@popmuzic71]

THE 2001 SNIPPET IS GOLD 😂

[@dislabeled]

6:50 - Lawyer picks and nose and eats it.

[@jenniferjaska5889]

Yeah he trying to take the house back..naw they paid for that house they can do whatever he wants

[@cmcull987]

Those renters have to keep track of and have records of their payments. Not casting blame on them in this decision, just that they need to keep records.

[@forthefunofit3230]

dismiss, continue, dismiss, MAKE YOUR MID UP!!!!!

[@karenglenn6707]

The people renting to buy seem to be not too bright. They should have all of the information ready, they should have had the contract checked from the beginning. How silly do you have to be to not check? And this “landlord” and his lawyer are scumbags!!

[@Kimball042]

Have a good look at the ‘crook’ landlord. And which lawyer drafted the initial lease?

[@stevenhelgren2305]

if they want to own it and there is a rent to own set up.....why not show up to court with the remaining $12,000 and offer to pay out last of the lease owed and then own the house?

[@imadbasayev8541]

Is that a serious question?

[@dellsteadman]

Because more than likely they do not have the $12,000 that’s why they have a month to month payment schedule.

[@karenglenn6707]

They would have enough equity in the house to be able to borrow $12,000 now and just get rid of this crooked landlord who then can do nothing about it. What a piece of 💩 he is, slimebag!!

[@billsmith5166]

I wish he'd dismissed it. Get rid of the tax and past due issues and just address the property condition and questionable contract terms after it's refiled. If it is.

[@RebelSoul_]

6:45 tenant lawyer picks his nose and eats his boogy. Im dead 💀 🤢

[@mksemposki]

Love Judge Middleton. He’s down to earth and doesn’t hold back. The plaintiff looks like a Detroit slum lord trying to con them out of money.

[@GarySeven-p5j]

paying and accepting cash for a land contract ? why not personal or bank cashiers check ... that part alone is suspicious

[@tomjones5079]

Wait this is a 35,000 property and it's not paid for yet by these tenants after 6 years?

[@rogerweaver7686]

seller had this planned from the start, I would guess this isn't the first time he has 'sold' this place. The reason he only accepts cash is he doesn't want to show income at tax time, or have records (receipts).

[@LawNerdsUnite]

Oh yeah. Seller was wishy washy right from the rip.

[@kellyredinger5974]

7:00 Lawyer Bush just picked his nose, looked at it, and ATE it. 🤮🤢🤮

[@leofredette19]

Sounds like the Landlord regrets the rent to own contract he signed.

[@LawNerdsUnite]

Seller's remorse

[@susancox-r8f]

Very inept landlord attorney.

[@williamaylward2869]

i can't unsee him picking his nose and eating it >,

[@mypetalworks]

So watch at 6:41…. So funny. Mr Bush eats his booger 😂

[@timwaddell9450]

Yea i agree this entire thing is fishy, he wants them ojt so he can charge more for the same property. He wants to keep their money. I bet this guy has more than ome property he is doing this on. Additionally they have about a year left and its paid off. They are making improvements out of their pocket.

[@katrinabuck4598]

Quick catch on the taxes

[@cmcull987]

If the tenants are paying the property taxes, what does it matter if alterations devalue the property? The property tax is on them. Why should the owner care? To me, its seeems the alterations are either legal or not. Do I understand this? Was it in the contract what alterations the renters could do?

[@meanmaryjean5099]

I luv Judge Middleton!

[@Gerlad970]

Oh wide open if the personality of the plaintiff-- a permanent look of like he smells something, and I think he is seeing all isnt well as his nose is getting more cinched up.

[@carriechristian9635]

Did anyone notice the nose picking, viewing and consuming by the defense? 😮

[@jcny11]

Sketchy asking for cash.

[@jackiebinns6205]

These people didnt even have their paper work or numbers ready for court ? Strange 😮

[@tashahenderson3060]

Anyone know how this ended?

[@LawNerdsUnite]

Hasn't, yet. I'll post a video when it does!

[@patgal2359]

Wonder how much bland will charge ? Lol