Call The Police
It was frightening for the man to enter. The shadows in the bedroom moved as he stood downstairs. During the night, he was visited by two strangers.
There was nothing he could use as a weapon. If they were dangerous and possibly armed, what would he do? Then he heard something coming from inside the house and knew immediately that he had to call the police.
Hosting
After his children moved out of the house, Jacob Bowman and his wife Molly decided to turn their double-story home into a bed and breakfast.
Living alone in such a large house had become too much for him, and the idea of hosting travelers intrigued him. Making some residual income on the side would be good, too.
Realizing His Dream
He had always dreamed of running a bed and breakfast as a middle-aged man with a penchant for adventure. As an Airbnb host in a quiet Minnesota town, he realized his dream of turning his charming double-story home into an income-generating business.
As he renovated the property, he maintained its old-world charm while adding modern amenities. His property rates would rise with the opening of a new mall nearby.
American Airbnb
He created "American Airbnb" with some help from family and friends. Jacob opened his doors to the world with a fresh coat of paint, new furnishings, and a warm ambiance.
Jacob Bowman, 60, stood before the threshold of his meticulously renovated double-story home, contemplating his decision to convert half of it into a B&B.
Lisa
A young woman named Lisa Jennings occupied one-half of the house, and she seemed pleasant and decent. One afternoon, she called Jacob, desperately pleading for the property to be rented.
Lisa Jennings, a single mother with a child, appeared lovely, so he rented out the unused portion. It was only time that would reveal the truth about his first tenant.
Extra Space
Due to his lack of need for the entire space, the handyman father rented half of his newly renovated home. He figured he did not need all that extra space.
His tenant, Lisa, a 40-year-old single mother with a child, appeared pleasant. Jacob felt satisfied with his decision after the arrangement started smoothly.
Many Men
Jacob and Lisa initially coexisted harmoniously. Rent was paid on time, and her presence infused the house with a lively energy. Candice, her 8-year-old daughter, was quiet and made no noise.
There was one thing odd about Lisa, despite her being a good tenant. There was an affiliation between her and dating random men. He had no idea how to keep track of the dates she had every week.
Sudden Departure
When Lisa started dating several different men, things at the bed and breakfast had been going smoothly. There would be many coming and going between them, and Jacob told her not to bring anyone else with her.
Suddenly, she decided to move out to live with a boyfriend. Jacob was slightly bewildered by the sudden departure but wasn't too worried about it.
A Blessing
No problems were encountered at the beginning. It was a pleasure to have Lisa as a tenant. She was quiet and considerate. Her relationship with her boyfriend took a surprising turn when she moved out to live with him.
There are, however, times in life when unexpected threads are woven. Lisa moved out to stay with one of her boyfriends to pursue her desires. As an answer to his prayer, he took it as a blessing.
Much Needed
Jacob's once-vibrant home became eerily quiet after his departure. He had recently decided to visit his children in Texas for a few months, as fate would have it.
As he packed for a long-awaited holiday, he kept the Airbnb open. While taking a much-deserved break, he knew he could make some money with his business.
A Well-Deserved Break
Jacob was enjoying his holiday with his children and things had been quiet with the Airbnb. He didn’t get any further bookings.
One day, he decided to give his neighbor a friendly call. The neighbor welcomed Jacob back to the neighborhood, but he was puzzled. He hadn't returned for weeks. What was his neighbor referring to?
A Friendly Chat
Months later, while Jacob was chatting with a neighbor, his neighbor said that he noticed some lights on at his place. Jacob was worried, he suspected that somebody may have broken in.
Should he go back to his old house to check? Who was in his house? Curiosity led him to his old house, and shock struck him at what he discovered.
Double Checking
Jacob’s curiosity piqued; he went back to his old house only to discover an unsettling truth. Someone was inside his house. Lisa had moved back in, settling into the space she had once vacated.
He learned that Lisa had vacated her boyfriend's place and returned to the neighborhood. Bewilderment etched across his face, Jacob confronted her, demanding an explanation.
Finding Out
Puzzled, Jacob walked into his old house only to discover that Lisa had moved back in. She was happily making dinner as though the kitchen belonged to her.
Jacob watched her for a few minutes, he could hear that there was someone else in the house as well. Bewildered, he confronted her about this unexpected return. What would her excuse be?
Standing Up To Her
Jacob knocked on the door. The busy mother was startled and dropped the spoon she was holding. Jacob was furious and yelled at her, "You can't just waltz back in here," he exclaimed.
Lisa, however, remained unfazed. "You allowed me to stay, remember? I'm just taking what's rightfully mine," she retorted, a smug smile playing on her lips.
Your Lease Is Over
Jacob was disgusted at her. "What are you doing here, Lisa?" Jacob inquired, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. Lisa, with an air of nonchalance, responded, "I'm living here. You said I could stay."
Jacob, taken aback, argued, "I never said you could move back in. You left, and I rented the space to someone else." Lisa shrugged, dismissing his concerns. "Well, I'm here now. You can't kick me out."
Claiming His Rights
Dumbfounded by her audacity, Jacob warned her, "This isn't right, Lisa. You can't just come and go as you please." He marched around the living room claiming his space.
To his surprise, she retorted, "You never said I couldn't. It's your problem, not mine." Jacob, feeling a mixture of anger and helplessness, warned her to leave. Yet, she clung to the space, exploiting the situation.
Taking A Chance
Despite Jacob's threats, Lisa didn’t move. He had no choice but to take her on legally for her abuse of the property.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Lisa, the unwelcome tenant, persisted in occupying the property for an entire year. Did she have big connections? Who was helping her to always escape the law?
Still No Luck
Over the next year, Jacob struggled with the situation. Lisa had not only taken advantage of his initial kindness but had also manipulated the situation to her advantage.
Frustration and helplessness gnawed at Jacob as he tried to figure out how to reclaim his property. He had to think out of the box to get the vagrant lady out of his property.
Bending The Rules
As Jacob stared at the house that was once his sanctuary, he grappled with a myriad of emotions. He felt bad that Lisa had a daughter, but he had been kind enough, she was using him.
Frustration, betrayal, and confusion swirled within him. Lisa had taken advantage of his initial generosity, turning his dream into a twisted nightmare. How could he deal with her?
Taking Up The Space
Frustrated and feeling betrayed, Jacob watched helplessly as Lisa continued to inhabit his property for a year. The once-charming bed and breakfast now harbored tension and discomfort.
Jacob found himself caught in a legal quagmire, unable to easily evict Lisa due to ambiguous agreements and her exploitation of loopholes. He regretted his decision to turn his home into an Airbnb.
Thinking Of A Plan
As he stood outside his own home, now occupied by someone who had taken advantage of his goodwill, Jacob wondered how he had allowed things to reach this point.
The uncertainty of what to do gnawed at him, creating a suspenseful atmosphere that hung over the bed and breakfast like an impending storm. Jacob pondered his next move, grappling with a dilemma that seemed to have no easy resolution.
Other Options
Days passed with Jacob standing outside his own home, gazing at the windows that once radiated warmth and hospitality. He was now losing money; it was costing him to keep her.
The future loomed uncertain, and suspense hung in the air like a heavy fog. Jacob was left pondering the daunting question: What on earth was he going to do now?
Doing Research
After reading some current homeowner articles. Jacob had an idea. Determined to fight back, Jacob decided to bring in a housing inspector to assess the property.
He noticed that Lisa had done some minor renovations on the property and she probably didn’t get the required building regulations passed. It was a long shot, but anything against her could help.
Calling For Help
The inspector, a stern-looking man named Mr. Thompson, arrived on a chilly afternoon. They walked through the house, examining every nook and cranny.
"This is quite a lovely place you've got here," Mr. Thompson remarked, glancing around. "But there seems to be an issue with the new shower installation in the unit Lisa occupies." Jacob seized the opportunity, explaining the entire ordeal. Mr. Thompson's expression turned serious as they inspected the unpermitted shower.
Authority Agrees
The inspector was filling in his report. "You're right, Mr. Bowman. This is a clear violation. She should have obtained the necessary permits," Mr. Thompson said, making notes on his clipboard.
The inspector drawled on about the water system and galvanized pipes. With a newfound sense of hope, Jacob stood taller. "What can be done about this?"
Take Her On
The inspector was annoyed that Jacob interrupted his explanation and frowned at him. "Well, we'll have to issue a citation and fine. If she doesn't comply, legal action might be necessary. But this should get her attention."
Jacob agreed and filled in the necessary paperwork. He hoped and prayed that everything would work out and that he could get his house back.
On His Side
After a few days, Jacob saw the postage delivery man come to his house. He delivered a brown envelope to both him and Lisa.
The citation and fine were delivered to Lisa, who was horrified at the prospect of facing legal consequences. She was given a reasonable timeframe to pay the fine and rectify the permit situation. Would the woman finally obey the law?
Moving On
As the weight of the law bore down on Lisa, she had no choice but to comply. Jacob even helped her pack her boxes and told her daughter Candice to take care of her mother.
The wheels of justice began to turn, and for the first time in a year, Jacob saw a glimmer of victory. However, Lisa, cunning and resourceful, wasn't one to back down easily.
Battle Won For Now
Jacob was pondering his next move, wondering how Lisa might retaliate and what challenges lay ahead in the battle for his home. He was getting old now and paranoid.
The suspense hung in the air as the confrontation entered a new, unpredictable phase. Would he be able to reopen his Airbnb or would Lisa continue to make life difficult for him?