Hiring a qualified attorney to review the lease and identify any possible loopholes may be less costly than the tenant exploiting them in court. Understand that each state has unique tenant/landlord laws. The available paperwork that can be found in courts may seem clear-cut and it will be tempting to forego the lawyer fees. Do not be caught unprepared, have a professional help you.
For a variety of reasons often landlords prolong the process of eviction. Giving the tenant a second chance, being too busy with other work, or wanting to avoid the process completely are a few examples of expensive decisions made by landlords. The simple fact of the matter is their losses will continue to accumulate by delaying the eviction process. In many states, the eviction proceeding begins via a letter notifying the tenant that they have a specific amount of time to get current on rent or fix the issue causing eviction. The documentation will add significant pressure to the tenant, set clear expectations, and give the landlord extra time to set a court date if needed.
Similar to the mistake mentioned above, filing an eviction notice too late may result in not recovering any of the money sought after. It seems reasonable to wait until the tenant has the money you're seeking - but wait too long and they could be gone one day without leaving a forwarding address. Avoid this mistake by seeking the funds while they are still living in your property or present them with the court papers required to collect their debts.
Before your next tenant moves in, you'll need to make sure the property is ready for them. Use our free Make-Ready Checklist to ensure you don't miss anything. Click the link below for your free download.