Many people think that being a landlord and owning a rental property or maybe rental properties can make you rich. Partially, they are right. However, only few consider rental expenses investment properties have as well as problems that tenants bring. Consequently, a first-time landlord should know what to do before, during, and after evicting a tenant if he/she wants to succeed, of course. Consequently, the topic of the day is about evicting a tenant. Moreover, if you are wondering how to be a landlord and how to deal with a tenant not paying rent, this guide is all you need. So, make yourself comfortable and let’s proceed with the steps of evicting a tenant.
#1 Reasons for Evicting a Tenant
Before we begin with the steps of evicting a tenant, let’s explore some legitimate reasons to evict your current tenant. Moreover, if one of the reasons below is related to your situation, it means that it is the right time to take some action as an experienced/beginner landlord.
- Reason One for Evicting a Tenant: Not Paying Rent
- Reason Two for Evicting a Tenant: Violating Lease Agreement Rules
- Reason Three for Evicting a Tenant: Illegal Activities
- Reason Four for Evicting a Tenant: Rental Property Damage
- Reason Five for Evicting a Tenant: Expiration of the Lease Agreement
Well, does something look familiar? If yes, then let’s explore how to evict your tenant from your rental property. Interested to learn more about the reasons for lawsuits over rentals? Make sure to read “The Most Common Reasons for Lawsuits Between Landlord and Tenant.”
#2 Evicting a Tenant Step One: Study Landlord Tenant Law
Becoming a landlord is not an easy task. Being a landlord means that you are prepared for renting out a house to potential tenants. Being prepared includes being able to monitor rental expenses, proceeding with tenant screening, knowing the landlord tenant law well and so on. Such laws were written in order to protect the interest of the landlord as well as the tenant. It is important to mention that landlord tenant law differs from state to state. For example, some states are landlord or tenant friendly.
Knowing these laws will help an experienced/beginner landlord with the eviction process. You should know that being a landlord does not allow you to evict someone without involving courts as DIY eviction is an illegal activity. As a first-time landlord, you should know about landlord tenant laws. Consequently, make sure to read “Landlord Tenant Law: Basics Every Real Estate Investor Should Know” to learn more about this aspect.
#3 Evicting a Tenant Step Two: Study the Lease Agreement Before Evicting a Tenant
Real estate investing for beginners or a first-time landlord tip in evicting a tenant is to get familiar with the lease agreement that was signed with a particular tenant. So, how to be a landlord? First, read through the lease as there you will find a legal as well as valid reason for evicting a tenant.
When becoming a landlord, you should know that you may encounter two types of tenants. For example, on one hand, some tenants might leave your long term rentals in order to avoid all the struggle and headache with the eviction process. On the other hand, some rental property tenants might fight until the end- in some cases, until the bitter end. The idea behind this is that you should be well informed about your rental property lease in order to present legit reasons for the eviction.
Moreover, every first-time landlord should know that it is important to deliver all the landlord’s duties that are written in the lease before evicting a tenant. This is because tenants are allowed to withhold the rent if you do not stick to your responsibilities as a landlord and you will have no real grounds to evict them.
#4 Evicting a Tenant Step Three: Sending an Eviction Note
So, you know what the violation is, what is next? Send an eviction notice to your tenant. You should know that in most states, an eviction notice should be sent through the certified mail straight to the tenant. Sending such a notice does not necessarily mean that the tenant is going to be evicted. In most cases, this notice gives a tenant a certain amount of time to pay the rest of the rent, change the certain behavior that is against the lease agreement, and so on.
#5 Evicting a Tenant Step Four: Eviction Process in Court
If your destination is court now, you must check if you have all the needed documents. Moreover, if you do not feel that you can represent yourself in court, you should consider hiring an attorney. In the end, it depends on how strong your story is and how prepared your attorney is as well.
#6 Consider Hiring a Professional Property Management Company
If you are a first-time landlord or an investor with many long term rentals, it is advised you hire a rental property management company. Why should I hire a professional property management company? Well, as a first-time landlord, there are many aspects that you should know may go wrong. When hiring a professional property management company, you transfer all managerial tasks of your investment properties to a certain rental property management company. As a first-time landlord hiring such a company is seen as a great advantage as you may focus on other things. A professional property management company will cover such categories as tenant screening, discussion of the lease agreement, collecting the rent and covering rental expenses, issuing notices, recordkeeping, etc.
All this sounds great, yet, professional property managers charge a certain fee for their services. It strongly depends on your availability and budget, but hiring a rental property management company can be worth the money. Interested to learn more about professional property management and how it can help a first-time landlord? Make sure to read “Why You Should Go for Professional Property Management for Your Investment Property.”
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