How to Start An Eviction... The Nice Way?
I need to evict a tenant because it’s just not working out. The rent is paid weeks late every month for the last 5 months that the 1st of the month to my tenant now seems like anytime between the 16-20th. Been very patient since she was a friend of a family, but now I…
I need to evict a tenant because it’s just not working out. The rent is paid weeks late every month for the last 5 months that the 1st of the month to my tenant now seems like anytime between the 16-20th. Been very patient since she was a friend of a family, but now I think Ive had enough. I was about to contact a lawyer today to start it but thought to myself maybe I should just talk to her about it and see how it works out. Anyone try to be a nice guy in this kind of situation, if so how has it worked out.
You start eviction proceedings when the rent is over two months in arrears in other words when you have entered the third month of non-payment. All in all, be grateful you have a good tenant.
can you even evict someone if they don’t owe you any rent?
Is that the problem? That’s not a problem. You know when you are getting your rent.
Pay less attention to detail. The big issues are turn-over cost and other friendships. I once had to evict a friend of a friend who the police caught breaking into another apartment. Somehow, the friend made it my problem.
Talk first. It could really be something as simple as them living check to check and them needing to use a check later in the month to cover the rent.
I know you have a mortgage and bills of your own to make, but like others have said, if you’re at least getting the rent in full every month and THIS is your only problem, try to relax a little and not pay too much attention to this minor detail.
Friend of a family member actually means she was a girlfriend of a cousin of mine who just so happen to be in the market looking for an apartment at the time. I was a bit lax in looking into credit reports or reason why she could no longer be in her last place. Pays in the middle of the month every month since she has been there except for the first month. We do have a late fee in the lease that takes into effect after 5 days but my wife and I have never followed up on it. Now I just want to sell the place and move on. She covers the exact payment mortgage payment plus maintenance, and the only advantage that I saw in renting at the time was that she was buying me time for the market to recover.
Agree – talk to the tenant. Late payment is not grounds for eviction. Believe me, many folks in the city pay their rent late. You are very lucky if thats the only issue you have!!
could you be okay with her paying around that time of the month as long as it’s consistent? i mean i know that’s not ideal and could potentially open up a can of worms, but it’s rough out there
*rob*
well cmu, the OP says that s/he reconsidered the legal option and is looking for other experiences… sounds like a friendly effort.
“friend of the family” and you’re starting eviction procedures w/o trying to talk to her? As they say, with friends like these…