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California homeowner's rental property turned into a nightmare when she met her "tenant from hell." Cheri Woods, 75, had been renting out her unique Calabasas-area home for decades with no issues until two men in the entertainment industry moved in. The property, which features a fire pit, outdoor Tiki bar, and hot tub, was transformed into a megamansion party house, with hundreds of young people carousing at all hours and aggressive dogs prowling the property.

    Woods estimates she's lost around $100,000 in damages since July, including cleaning costs, repairs, and attorney fees. She hired inspectors who found no evidence of bedbugs, termites, or mold, but the tenant lawyered up and stopped paying rent. Woods had to start the eviction process, which was complicated by the fact that the lease didn't have a provision for pets.

    The parties were so wild that neighbors reported seeing moving trucks outside the property in October, leading Woods to rush back from Las Vegas to find her home "disgustingly filthy" with many things stolen. She believes the tenant made a swift exit to preserve his clean renting record and avoid an eviction on his background check.

    Woods is now speaking with investors about selling the property and has learned a valuable lesson about being a landlord. Experts say that landlords can take steps to prevent similar negative experiences by thoroughly vetting tenants, including running criminal record checks and reviewing social media posts. They also recommend having strongly worded leases, keeping an eye on things through regular inspections or surveillance cameras, and using rental platforms instead of agencies.

    Some experts suggest charging higher deposits or requiring renters insurance policies for high-value or unique properties. Others advise being cautious when dealing with tenants who offer large sums of money to rent a property over special occasions like holidays or the Super Bowl. If a problem tenant gets in anyway, landlords should hire a tenant-landlord attorney and document everything thoroughly.

    Woods' experience highlights the risks involved in renting out a property, even with reputable real estate agents. She says she'll never rent her home again and is now focusing on selling it for $1.9 million.