I own a motel that has weekly extended stay customers. The tenant in question has been at the property for five years (3.5 years prior to my ownership). We recently moved the tenant to another comprable unit in the building because we wanted to remodel their current room. After they were moved the husband got sent to jail for I believe accomplice to a burglary. The wife now lives here by herself and she claims she has reported us to the public health dept because her unit doesnt have hot water. I have on-site maintenace crew of 2 so they went to check it out but the tenant wont let the maintenance in.
I'm planning on serving 24 hour maintenance notice but there is the possiblitiy that when we try to enter at that time, they will try to stop us again.
I think the tenant is trying to blackmail me because they want to get moved to a larger and newer unit. This tenant is generally dirty and unpleasant and I would like them out, but I think they are filing claims with the public health dept to avoid eviction and possilby have a lawsuit.
What should I do?
this is under LA County in California

