Easy Ways to Evict a Tenant

Evicting a tenant can be a simple and easy process, or it can drag on for months on end. Even if an eviction is lengthy, though, some common-sense steps can lead to easy ways to evict a tenant and can reduce anxiety on the parts of all involved. The first of these steps is to maintain a professional relationship with all tenants. This will assure tenants who are being evicted that the landlord is aware of the rights of all parties and will not be taken advantage of, but will be fair.

Before beginning an eviction, a landlord must consider the reason for which the tenant is being evicted. This reason will affect how the landlord should proceed. In most cases, direct communication with the tenant is a definite advantage in obtaining an easy eviction. Speaking directly to the tenant in the case of an eviction where outside circumstances are to blame may result in not only an easy eviction, but also a continuing relationship with a trustworthy renter. If this is the case, an expensive eviction lawsuit will be unnecessary.

In many cases where an oral request does not result in an easy eviction, serving a notice to quit will do the trick. A notice to quit is a written, formal request from a landlord to a tenant asking the tenant to vacate the premises. Landlords who find themselves needing to serve a notice to quit should have the document drafted by an attorney if at all possible. After the notice to quit has been served, the tenant may wish to deal directly with the attorney. In this case, an eviction is easy for the landlord but may be expensive.

If a tenant’s actions have precipitated the eviction, up-front communication is still important. The first step in this case is for the landlord to determine that there is a valid legal reason for eviction. Laws regarding eviction are different in various places, so it is important to do enough research in the particular area of the rental property to know what rights landlords have in relation to eviction. Landlords should also review the original rental contract before pursing eviction. Once armed with this knowledge, the landlord should approach the tenant in a professional manner about the situation and request that the tenant vacate the premises with a notice to quit. It is best for all contact to take place in writing or to be legally recorded in some other way. This provides the landlord with proof of the various encounters, which serves as protection in the event that the eviction case goes to court.

Landlords should also be aware that different areas have different laws regarding how much time a tenant has to vacate the premises. An easy eviction in less than 30 days is highly unlikely.

If the tenant does not leave the rental premises willingly, the landlord will then have to file a lawsuit to evict. This process may be relatively short, but if the renter hires a lawyer and mounts a defense it could be quite lengthy.

In all cases, one way to make an eviction easier is to give the renter other options. If the landlord is willing to retain the renter at another property, an offer of that other property may make the process go quite smoothly. If the landlord is evicting the renter because of breach of contract or failure to pay and does not wish to retain the renter, maintaining good relations is still a smart move. The landlord may help the renter make other arrangements, such as finding a cheaper rental in the area or looking into public housing. Most renters do not want to be at odds with a landlord. If a cordial relationship can be maintained and an alternative living situation made apparent, renters are usually willing to help reach a solution that is agreeable to all parties.