” The fee to file the eviction lawsuit is on the order of $200. These lawsuits are common and they move forward quickly. You will get evicted anyway;”

Not true. It’s not that cheap. You need lawyer on retainer to file an unlawful detainer in Superior Court. You can’t file yourself.

If these are wannabe landlords, they probably don’t have an attorney. It’ll cost them about $3000 to get a lawyer on retainer. Plus they have to pay the filing fees.

I would say that chances are good that owners in distress won’t do anything. First, they need to notify you. And you can always make good on your contract before it gets to the court date. If playing hardball can save thousands in not paying rent, you might want to give it a whirl.

It’s not that easy being a landlord. Don’t think you can just sit back and collect the rent.