What would you do

[Lynnie]

Tough times, but have tenant not paying rent and has no job. Have been patient, but have to consider business is business.

I believe a rental management co. would evict.

Am new here, but have followed some discussions. Any input is greatly valued.

Thank you!

sowallandlord

 

[Smiling JOe]

A legal eviction can take up to 12 months, and in the end, it is no fun for neither the landlord nor the tenant. Better read up on the law, because you cant legally just go change the locks on the house and throw their possessions curbside, and think all is hunky dory.

Sometimes, being a landlord means thinking about the business, and other times, it means thinking about being a human and having some sympathy. Knowing that eviction can take so long, you might try cutting a deal on the rents, or forgiving some of the rent if the tenant is taking good care of the house. Perhaps you can barter some work/maintenance for rent if the tenant can perform such tasks. You need to remember that there are plenty of empty rentals right now, and just because you evict the tenant, doesn't mean that you are going to immediately begin receiving rent from a new tenant. I think a tenant would be extremely grateful if the landlord were willing to try and work out something, as everyone seems to be going through tough times. You might end up with a tenant who is willing to do anything for you, and very willing to take great care of your property.

 

[GoodWitch58]

great response, SJ.

Hope it works out well for everyone involved. For sure there are more rental units available right now, than there are renters looking....

 

[scooterbug44]

I would suggest that you have them do something to partially work off their rent - perhaps light labor like cleaning, improvement projects, landscaping etc. Don't know that you can float their full rent amount, but a 25% or 50% reduction w/ bartering would probably help you both out in the current economy.

Unless they are just a deadbeat, then evict them!

Quasi related question - why does it take so long to evict someone?

My lease gives me an exact time frame for how much advance notice I get/have to give before my butt and belongings are no longer occupying the premises, so what is with the long delay?

 

[kathydwells]

Thought twice about rehashing THAT Thread.

Good luck to you!

 

[Lynnie]

Thanks Everyone.

The lease says three days upon notice for nonpayment of rent. I checked with Walton Co. on filing fees with fee for service by sheriff and it's over $300. With all of this, tenant can legally be out within a few days if they just don't leave on their on volition when I send the notice.

With tenant not paying and I have a mortgage to pay, I am dancing around this one as I do recognize that it's difficult out there, but I also know others who are working 2 and 3 jobs to make their ends meet.

Someone mentioned 'deadbeat.' I like to believe the best in people, but you might have hit the nail on the head.

Sorry if this was addressed before on another thread......I am new and value the input of this message community.

Thank you again to everyone!

 

[gmarc]

12 months to legally evict? thats hard to believe. the above poster says once the eviction notice served it takes days to get them out. that's how it is in other states. if it took 12 months to evict, nobody would rent or they'd have to collect 12 months rent up front.

 

[ASH]

Check out the Employment Forum lately and there are certainly jobs available. They may not pay like someone was once making. But if they aren't currently making anything.........end of discussion.

I wonder if the 12 month eviction thing isn't related to forclosures versus a rental unit. I am aware of homes on the market for sale, short sale and foreclosure that the present (or past owners) are still in the home and they haven't made payments for as long as a year.

You should be fully within your rights, especially if financials dictate you have no other option, to ask them to find another place to live. Perhaps if they could find another place for less money, they might be able to make things work. They are only making a bad name for themselves not paying you as the next people won't let them in due to a past history of not paying. You are doing them a favor by asking them to do the right thing not only for you, but for themselves.

Put the home back on the market and try to find another renter and possibly float them until someone wants your place in exchange for them keeping the place in a condition to show prospective clients.

 

[Smiling JOe]

(I'm not an attorney.) A tenant can file an appeal for an eviction, and it would then go to a Court. I believe a good attorney could make a case for a tenant who has been actively looking for a job, yet couldn't find one. From what I've seen, it can take a while to get to Court. Maybe things work faster in Walton County, as the population is much less than other cities in the US where I've lived.

Here is an idea: It will cost you $300 to serve notice. More to clean up the place, and more for time not having someone else in the house paying rent. A win - win may be that you offer the tenant $500 to vacate the premises within x number of days, and leave it clean and ready to rent. If it is not clean, tenant doesn't get paid full amount (maybe pay half just to get tenant out, and you are still saving money, and can begin searching for your new tenant.) Someone with no money to pay rent may seize the opportunity to get some quick cash.

 

[30ashopper]

IMHO, you've got a place that could be generating revenue that you're currently loosing money on and will likely never get back rent. Just file the papers and get the guy out so you can start renting it again. The longer you wait the more money you risk.

I think it's important to note that even if he gets up and current, (highly doubtlful) you know the second he looses his job again the first thing he'll do is stop paying the rent. He's already shown you that in this case. Take this opportunity to replace him with someone who might be more responsible.

Some might think this a heartless approach, but really, giving this guy a million second chances - it's not going to teach him anything. But it will cost you a lot of money.