No landlord ever goes into a lease thinking it will end badly. The odds are that it won’t, but every now and then there will be a bad tenant that comes along and needs to be evicted. When this happens, it can be a very overwhelming and upsetting experience and can cause many sleepless nights. The best way to deal with it is to act swiftly and have conviction with your actions. Accordingly, a good tenant is the result of a good landlord. This doesn’t mean you have to kick down the door and act like a crazy person. The minute you feel that you have no other choice, it is time to take action. Before you do, you had better know all of your local tenant laws.
Regardless if you are going through an eviction or not, you would be wise to know all of your tenants’ rights. You will be surprised to find that they have many more rights than you may have originally thought. Each state has their own set of rules governing the eviction process, which must be adhered to. It is in your best interest to know these laws so you can expedite the process. Every week that you drag your feet or mishandle the eviction, it will cost you money. As soon as you feel that eviction is the best option, you should start researching eviction law or get in touch with an attorney that can guide you.
Eventually, you will have to prove that the eviction is in fact justified and you are within your power to do so. The most common reason for eviction is lack of payment, but it can also be caused by excessive property damage, breaking of the law, excessive noise and other items that are on your lease. It is beneficial for both sides to attempt to work things out, but if you are past that point you need to show your side of the story. The best way to do that is to document everything that is going on. Take pictures, save emails or voice mails and keep any pertinent documents handy because you will need them when the time comes. The more you can prove and document, the easier it will be to move forward with the eviction.
Through your local networking groups or investment clubs, you should be able to reach out to eviction companies in your area. You should also reach out to an attorney, even if you have a good grasp on the local eviction laws. Your attorney will push the process through much quicker than you will be able to do on your own. You also want the protection and security in knowing that this is being done right. There are many tenants whose sole goal is to drag the process out for months and live in the property rent free for as long as possible. Obviously this will have a dent on your bottom line and you want this resolved quickly. Using an attorney or an eviction company will come at a cost, but in the big picture it will help you get money coming in as quickly as possible.
Bad tenants happen to even the best landlords. As soon as you recognize that you have a problem, you need to act right away. With the right education and the right help, you will get through an eviction and quickly get your business back on track.
