When Is It Time to Evict?
Maybe Sooner Than You Think!
No landlord or property manager enjoys evicting tenants. Turnover is bad for your cash flow, and there are usually expenses related to eviction, too. Plus, it can be an unpleasant situation for everyone involved.
However, in the rental property business, evictions are a fact of life. Ask a seasoned landlord when is the right time to evict a tenant who is behind on rent, and you’ll probably hear, “the day after the rent is late.”
There are several good reasons to consider swift action when a tenant breaks the rental agreement:
- If the tenant breaks a condition of their rental agreement once, it is more likely to happen in the future. In other words, the situation is not going to get better, so why not replace them with a responsible tenant?
- You must demonstrate fairness to all tenants. Enforcing your rental agreement (the one that the tenant broke) in the same manner to all tenants is the best way to avoid discrimination claims. And, it can make things easier on you: whenever there is a problem, you simply hold up the rental agreement and stand behind what the tenant and you agreed upon.
- You are running a business, not a hobby or charity. It sounds harsh, but do remind yourself that in any business, rules must be followed and risk must be rewarded. You are the one at risk in your business. If you do not protect your interests, who will? It’s difficult to hear about problems tenants have, and while they may very well be genuine, you must stand firm and defend yourself and your business.
If you’re facing a tenant eviction for the first time, seek a property lawyer’s advice to make sure you don’t make common errors that can hold up your case.