Why have you decided to remove your tenant? Have they been extremely noisy, and causing disturbances with their neighbors? Are they not paying their rent on time? No matter what the reason is, it's not a simple procedure getting rid of a tenant, but there are steps that you can take to help facilitate and make the process go a bit more smoothly.
You can't even begin to think about removing your tenant unless you've been documenting instances where they've been a nuisance to neighbors, not paid their rent on time, or any other type of instance that is grounds for eviction.
You cannot stand in front of a judge and expect the courts to rule in your favor if you have no documentation to back up your decision to evict the tenant.
Document every single conversation you have with your tenant, record all late payments properly, and document all violations reported by neighbors.
These documents are all extremely useful in getting rid of your troublesome tenant.
If you're evicting your tenant due to him/her not paying their rent on-time, or at all, send the tenant a 3-day pay or quit first.
If you don't receive money, or even a response by the end of the 3rd day, then send an unlawful detainer package to your attorney.
Your attorney will serve them with papers that they either need to pay the rent (if that's what you chose to offer the tenant), or move out by a specified date.
If you're set on removing your tenant, do not accept a check of any kind because if you deposit it, and it bounces, you could have to start the eviction process all over again.
If you have a rental drop box, make sure you check it everyday.
If a tenant has dropped off a check in the box, and you don't return that check within 24 hours, it has been assumed "accepted" and you might be liable to start the eviction process all over again.
Once the tenant has vacated the premises, make sure that they haven't left anything of value behind.
If they have, and it's preventing you from renting the apartment to someone else.
You must store the items for 15 days, then you're required to put up the items for auction.
If the tenant would like to pick up his/her things within the initial 15 day period, you're required to let them go in and get it, but do not, under any circumstances give them a key.
If they go inside and lock the door and want to stay, then you have to start the eviction process all over again.
I hope this has helped you learn a little more about the eviction process, and steps that you need to take in order to evict a tenant, and keep them out of the rental property.
It may seem like a lot of due diligence on your part, but it's all worth it if a troublesome tenant is no longer a problem!