My grandmother passed away in February, leaving me her rental properties. I have a tenant who has not paid rent since February on a house about 20 miles south of here. Previous letters and attempts to collect rent have gone ignored- they won't answer the door when we try to even speak with them.
What possibly can we do to get these deadbeat tenants out!?
2007-05-24 04:55:15 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Thank you- so I was wanting to go down there this very afternoon and attempt to make contact again. I've been very professional in my letters to them, and warm in tone when leaving actual notes on the door. Should I call the police department in advance and ask them to standby as a 'peace officer' when attempting to make contact this afternoon?
Do you think that might encourage them in one way or another to open the door?
2007-05-24 05:09:09 · update #1
Since Feb. and they haven't paid then why haven't you taken legal action to get them out? They can tear up your house and you will be putting out the monies to fix it. Go to your local court house and file papers to have them out as soon as possible. Your the landlord now and they need to see that you will not tolerate this behaviour. I would not go there anymore and make any contact with them since you've already went this route with them. To them it's like playing a game to see how long it will take you to figure out what to do.
2007-05-24 05:44:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evict them. The exact procedures will vary based on state and local laws but generally you will serve them with a 3-day notice to quit. It's best to send that both Certified Mail and regular mail AND post it on the door to the property. If they don't leave, file an eviction action (sometimes called "Unlawful Detainer") at the local courthouse where the property is located. You really don't need an attorney for this though it would speed the process a bit and you can go after the tenant for the attorney's fees in most cases. The court clerk's office can help you with filing the suit.
How long this will take will depend upon state and local laws and procedures. Normally eviction for non-payment of rents is fast-tracked in the courts. The time can vary from as little as 15 days or so up to about 90 days from the filing date to enforcement of the eviction order. Figure 30 - 45 days on average.
Don't waste your time calling the police. This is purely a civil matter and they cannot and will not assist. They will advise you to contact an attorney or the local clerk of court but that's it.
Whatever you do, do NOT attempt any "self-help" eviction actions or lockouts. That could put YOU on the wrong side of the law and even land you in jail.
2007-05-24 12:08:45 · answer #2 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not hire an attorney! I have a rental property and had the exact same thing happened to me. I did some investigating on line based on eviction laws for my state and contacted my local courthouse and they directed me as to what forms need to be filed. Most of the forms I was actually able to print on line. I had my brother serve them their notice to quit...worked well because they had no idea who he was and had no problem answering the door.....ha! This is a very simple process. Why hire an attorney to do the same thing you are more than capable of doing yourself? Good luck!
2007-05-24 12:26:07 · answer #3 · answered by 2MUCH2DO 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you have grounds for eviction, and if they are on a lease you can sue the tenants for the amount of rent not paid during the time they lived there. Contact your local police department immediately...do not call 911. They can walk you through the eviction process and direct you to the correct papers for filing. If the amount owed is less than the state limit of small claims, you can use the small claims court to receive compensation from the tenants of the rent owed during their occupancy. *usually city hall building
2007-05-24 12:05:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know what state you are in but you need to determine the landlord-tenant law in your state. If you can file an eviction in a municipal court, I would do that because you will get heard faster. Check the laws for your state at http://www.nolopress.com/article.cfm/objectID/1682EC3F-6144-4D2B-9F5C6971C36F2928/213/178/ART/
Good luck.
2007-05-24 12:06:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
evict them. Go to your state's legal department and pursue the eviction process
2007-05-24 12:00:27 · answer #6 · answered by IHaveAQuestion? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋