answersLogoWhite

0

'Self-Help' Methods of Eviction May Backfire on the Landlord

Almost every landlord experiences a tenant that falls behind on rent payments, plays heavy metal music all night or violates the terms of lease in other ways. Changing the locks or cutting off the electricity are considered 'self-help' methods of forcing an unruly tenant to vacate the premises, but they can create some legal issues in some states which result in penalties like damages that amount to a several months rent.

In order to evict tenants, landlords must cross every 't' and dot every 'i' in terms of following local and state laws as well as adhering to the rental agreement. When landlords follow correct procedures and do everything right, tenant eviction is a relatively quick legal process, but a late eviction notice or verbal instructions may result in an eviction case being thrown out.

The first step in evicting a tenant is to end the tenancy in writing using an eviction notice. There are several kinds of eviction notices and landlords should be familiar with all of them.

There are Four Basic Eviction Notices
  • Fixing a Rental Violation Notice is valid in some states. It give tenants notice that the rental agreement has been violated. Some agreements don't include pets and stipulate certain property procedures and this notice is designed to give the tenant enough time (usually 5 to 10 days) to fix the violation. Eviction can continue if the notice is ignored, but if the violation is fixed then no eviction can be initiated using that notice.
  • A Nonpayment of Rent Notice usually alerts the tenant that they have three to five days to bring rent payments current (including late fees stipulated in the lease) or move out. If the tenant pays the back rent then eviction proceedings can't be continued.
  • Thirty or Sixty day Notices inform the tenant that they must move out without the landlord giving a reason. The time involved in this type of notice can be as short as twenty days or as long as ninety days. There can be different time periods depending on the tenants health or age.
  • An Unconditional Notice gives the landlord the ability to evict a tenant if they have seriously violated the agreement. This notice is used when a tenant has seriously damaged the premises, is way behind on the rent, or is growing or selling illegal drugs on the premises.
User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

How do you evict illegal tenants?

To evict illegal tenants, first, ensure that you have valid legal grounds for eviction, such as non-payment of rent or violation of lease terms. Serve the tenant with a formal eviction notice, specifying the reasons and giving them the required time to vacate. If the tenant does not leave, you may need to file an eviction lawsuit in your local court. Be sure to follow all local laws and regulations throughout the process to avoid any legal issues.


What grounds can the landlord evict the co-tenant?

A landlord can evict a co-tenant for several reasons, including failure to pay rent, violating lease terms (such as causing property damage or engaging in illegal activities), or if the lease allows for eviction under specific circumstances. Additionally, if a co-tenant disrupts the peace or safety of other tenants, the landlord may have grounds for eviction. It's essential for landlords to follow the proper legal procedures for eviction as required by local laws.


How long does an eviction process in Virginia take?

In Virginia, the eviction process typically takes about 30 to 60 days from the filing of the unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuit to the final court ruling, depending on the court’s schedule and whether the tenant contests the eviction. If the tenant does not respond or appears in court, the process may be quicker. However, if the tenant contests the eviction, it can take longer due to potential delays from court hearings and appeals. After a judgment, additional time may be needed for the landlord to coordinate the physical eviction with local law enforcement.


Can you get an eviction notice for your wife?

Any tenant can be served an eviction notice. An eviction notice starts the court process to remove an occupant from the premises. In addition to the court process, a landlord may report the tenant to NoPayTenants.com.


Can you evict a tenant at will with a 30 day notice so you my renovate?

Yes, in many jurisdictions, a landlord can evict a tenant at will with a 30-day notice to prepare for renovations, provided that the lease allows for it and local laws permit such eviction. However, it's important to check local landlord-tenant laws, as some areas may have specific rules regarding eviction notices or tenant rights. Additionally, ensure that the reason for eviction aligns with legal requirements, as improper eviction could lead to legal issues. Always consider consulting a legal expert to navigate the process correctly.


In Michigan if your renting a room from someone and paying them rent can they legally kick you out in the streets?

Generally, the rentee has the right to be notified of eviction before being removed from the property. However, under certain, limited circumstances, usually involving person-felonies, the rentee can be removed immediately.


How must an eviction be carried out in accordance with the law?

An eviction must be carried out in accordance with the law by following the legal process outlined in the relevant state or local laws. This typically involves providing the tenant with proper notice, filing the necessary paperwork with the court, and obtaining a court order for the eviction. The eviction must be carried out by a sheriff or other authorized law enforcement officer, and the tenant must be given the opportunity to remove their belongings before being physically removed from the property. It is important to follow all legal procedures to avoid any potential legal consequences.


Can you evict persons from your property as soon a quitclaim deed is signed over to you?

No, a quitclaim deed alone does not grant immediate eviction rights. While a quitclaim deed transfers ownership of the property, the new owner must still follow legal eviction procedures if there are tenants or occupants. This typically involves providing proper notice and, if necessary, filing an eviction lawsuit in accordance with local landlord-tenant laws.


Can you lock a tenant out by changing the door locks if they have not paid their rent?

In the US, a landlord or co-tenant is not permitted to change the locks because of unpaid rent. Instead, you must file eviction papers with the local court. It can take time, but if you don't follow the law you can be fined. You can sue in small claim's court for back rent.


Understanding the Eviction Process?

No matter how disruptive a tenant is, or how late they are on their rent, landlords have to go through a certain process to evict them. Landlords cannot change the locks, or turn off the utilities. A landlord who uses unlawful methods to evict tenants may be liable for damages.Tenant eviction must follow relevant state and local laws, and no steps can be missed in the eviction process. If the landlord neglects to give the proper eviction notices, the eviction can be thrown out and the landlord will have to go through the process again. The eviction process is quick compared to other kinds of legal actions.The first step in the eviction process is the landlord must give the tenant an eviction notice. There are several kind of notices that landlords can give tenants:Nonpayment of rentThis notice can be given when the tenant does not pay the rent when it is due. The notice usually states that rent is due and gives a certain time in which tenants can pay the rent and the late fees. If the tenant pays the amount stated on the notice, there will be no eviction.Unconditional noticeIn some states, landlords have the ability to give a tenant a notice to move without the possibility of correcting something. This typically happens when tenants have seriously violated the rental agreement. The time that is given to the tenant to move depends on state law.30-day or 60-day noticesIn most states, landlords are allowed to give an eviction notice for a tenant to move without giving any reason. The time varies by state, but a notice is usually 30 to 60 days. The time periods may differ if the tenant is a senior citizen or disabled, is receiving federal housing assistance, or a long-term resident. The landlord cannot give this kind of notice to a tenant until the lease period has ended.Fixing a violationSome states allow landlords to give a tenant a notice to fix a violation of the lease agreement. For example, if a tenant has a pet that is not allowed, the landlord can give a notice to the tenant to correct this is a certain amount of time.If the tenant has not corrected the problem or moved out after the eviction notices have been received, the landlord can file an eviction with the local court.


Can you evict the spouse of a tenant if the spouse's name is not on the lease only the tenant's?

In general, if the spouse is not listed on the lease, they may not have legal rights to remain in the rental property. However, eviction laws can vary by location, so it is important to consult with a legal professional or local housing authority for guidance on the specific situation. It may be necessary to provide notice to the tenant and spouse before proceeding with eviction.


If your tenant bounces a check for the last month of the lease and then does not want to move out what can you do?

Give them an eviction notice and if they still refuse then have the local sherriff remove them, forcefully if necessary.