Tenant Eviction - 4 Things a Landlord Needs to Know
As soon as you sign that lease with your tenant, make sure you are on top of the situation.
Make sure you get the rent on time.
If you tenant happens to be late on a payment -- send them a late notice that includes a late fee.
Do this immediately as soon as you know they are a minute late! This action in itself informs your tenant that you are a conscientious landlord who won't let them get off easy by always being late.
This letter can be the first step in a tenant eviction process.
2.
Begin to send notices indicating their Non Payment of Rent.
It should state that the tenant must pay their rent or vacate.
Every state is different and requires different terms.
Find the Non Payment of Rent Notice for your particular state.
Once you have that, hand deliver it to your tenant, if possible.
Or, you can send the notice by Certified Mail, or you can do both.
This notice will state exactly the amount owned and by what date.
It strongly states that the amount must be paid.
3.
A lawsuit called An Action in Forcible Entry and Detainer can be filed by the landlord for non-payment of rent by the tenant if not received by the date on the eviction notice.
Then, a court date notice will be served to the tenant by a court official.
The money judgment and eviction may be effective immediately or the tenant may be given a 30 day eviction giving the tenant time to pay or evacuate.
4.
The owner has to be careful not to make any mistakes or skip any steps in the eviction process because there are tenants' rights as well as eviction rights.
The owner will have to refile for the rental eviction process if this happens.
Many tenants don't seem to realize that landlords need to pay their bills too.
Just because they have a place to stay, it isn't really theirs.
They are only renting.
It is their obligation to pay up and on time.