It’s no secret that evictions drain your time, money, and focus from your rental business. The good news is that they’re not always inevitable. Today, we’ll discuss when you should evict a tenant, alternatives to eviction, things you can’t do to remove a tenant, and how professional property management helps avoid rental issues.
Contents of This Article:
- Why Would You Have to Evict a Tenant?
- More Favorable Alternatives to Eviction
- Things You Cannot Do to Remove a Tenant
- Avoid Rental Issues With Professional Management
Why Would You Have to Evict a Tenant?
No landlord or Northern Virginia property manager wants to go through the eviction process. It’s lengthy, costly, and can cause you to miss out on precious rental income. However, sometimes you have to take these measures to remove a bad tenant. So, what calls for eviction? Here are some of the main reasons a landlord may pursue the eviction process.
- Nonpayment of Rent- If a tenant fails to pay rent by the due date and after giving them notice, eviction may be warranted.
- Lease Violations- Serious breaches, like pets, smoking where not prohibited, or housing unauthorized occupants, may justify eviction if the tenant does not comply after written notice.
- Significant Property Damage- Intentional or major damage to the property can lead to eviction. In this case, it’s important to have photos and repair estimates.
- Illegal Activity- Criminal conduct on the premises, like drug distribution or violent acts, is usually grounds for immediate action depending on your local laws.
- Holdover After Lease Ends- If a tenant refuses to vacate after the lease ends, you may start the eviction process to regain possession of the property.
More Favorable Alternatives to Eviction
Good news–if you don’t want to go through the eviction process, you may not have to. There are some ways you can get a tenant to start paying rent or leave the property without a legal battle. Here are some alternatives to eviction that could be helpful.
- Open Communication
- Payment Plan or Adjustments
- Cash for Keys
- Lease Modification
- Rental Assistance Programs
Open Communication
A lot can be solved with open and honest communication. If you’re having trouble with a tenant missing payments or violating the lease agreement, start with a calm, documented conversation. Learn and listen to what’s behind the missed payments or violations and set clear expectations. For instance, you could set a date for the missed rent to be paid, or provide an extra copy of the lease.
Payment Plan or Adjustments
If a tenant is having a hard time with the rent payment schedule, try creating an alternative plan. For instance, you can make a short-term plan with specific amounts due either weekly or biweekly, depending on what works best for the tenant. If they’re catching up on payments, you could consider waiving late fees or spreading them out across future rent payments.
Cash for Keys
If you want to remove a tenant without going through the entire eviction process, you may go the “cash for keys” route.
This means you’ll offer them a payment (usually less than one month’s rent) in exchange for a firm move-out date and key return. With this method, make sure you only pay after a walkthrough of the property, and get an agreement in writing with photo documentation.
Lease Modification
Nonpayment of rent isn’t the only reason for eviction. You may have a tenant who repeatedly gets noise complaints, has unauthorized occupants in the home, or violates the lease in other ways. In this case, you may need to tighten up your lease agreement with clearer rules or stricter boundaries. However, remember that any changes you make must be in writing, kept with your records, and provided to the tenant.
Rental Assistance Programs
If you have a tenant who’s just struggling to pay rent on time, you can direct them to federal, state, or local assistance programs to help them out. These programs can often cover overdue rent payments and help prevent eviction.
Things You Cannot Do to Remove a Tenant
If you need to remove a tenant for any reason, there are plenty of options. Whether you opt for the legal eviction route or use an alternative method to save time and money, both options can help you out. However, it’s important to know what you can’t do to remove a tenant from your property.
Here are some actions you’ll want to avoid at all costs.
- Change the locks to the property without a court order.
- Shut off essential services, such as water, heat, electricity, or gas.
- Remove doors or windows to make the home uninhabitable.
- Remove a tenant’s belongings without following the proper procedures.
- Physically remove the tenant yourself.
- Harass, threaten, or intimidate the tenant to force them out.
- Enter the property without adequate notice (unless there’s an emergency).
Avoid Rental Issues With Professional Management
As a landlord, you’ll want to prevent issues before they even start. One of the best ways to do this is by working with a professional property management team, like PPM.
Professional Property Management in Northern Virginia can help you ensure the best screening processes, airtight lease agreements, and top-notch maintenance services. If you’re looking for help managing your properties, contact PPM today!