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Every year, landlords evict an average of 3.5 million tenants in this country.
If you're dealing with difficult tenants, eviction doesn't have to be the first course of action. Enforcing the terms of tenancy can happen in a respectful manner that gives the tenant a chance to change their ways. When the lease violations keep happening, that's when you can force an eviction.
Today, we're going to give you a short guide for dealing with difficult tenants in Smyrna. Lease enforcement is all about standing your ground as a landlord. Keep reading and you'll be able to deal with any unfortunate tenant situation from now on.
Common Lease Violations
When you write up a lease agreement for your tenants to sign, you're informing them of what they can and can't do on your property. If they disobey anything written in that contract, they're violating the lease.
Some of the most common lease violations include late or unpaid rent, damage to the property, criminal activity, prohibited pets, and subletting the unit to an unauthorized inhabitant. It's so important to write a thorough rental agreement so that you have proof of the tenant's violations.
How to Approach Difficult Tenants
No landlord wants to deal with difficult tenants. With a good tenant screening process, you can filter out undesirable tenants, but at the end of the day, you never know what you're getting until they live in the unit.
The best way to approach difficult tenants is to communicate with them. On the first lease violation, inform them of what they've done wrong and the consequences of doing it again. Giving them a chance to change their ways is best for tenant-landlord relations.
Lease Enforcement 101
It's when they repeatedly violate the lease that you'll have to be more serious about lease enforcement. The lease enforcement proceedings usually involve a written notice informing the tenant that they've got one more chance to rectify the problem.
The type of notice you give depends on the nature of the infraction, as well as rental laws. Georgia is different from other states in that there's no time limit on these notices. For example, you can issue a pay or quit notice to your tenant for as little as 24 hours before filing the eviction.
Although you have this option, it's always better to be as fair as possible to the tenant. Unless you're dealing with crime or property damage, giving the tenant a few more days' notice to vacate is advisable.
Eviction as a Last Resort
When difficult tenants refuse to fix the issue, the only thing left to do is go through with the eviction. You'll need to go to the Smyrna courthouse to file the eviction, then hire a lawyer to help you through the process.
Evictions can take as little as a couple of weeks and as long as 3-4 months. It's crucial to bring forth as much evidence of the tenant's misdeeds as possible to make it an open and shut case for the court.
A Property Manager Can Help With Lease Enforcement
Lease enforcement starts at the beginning of a tenancy. By selecting good tenants and impressing upon them the importance of paying rent on time, taking care of the property, and any other rules you set out, you can avoid eviction situations.
Not all landlords have time to deal with lease enforcement. This is when a great property manager can help. For Smyrna property owners, PMI is your best bet.
To learn more about our full-service property management, including tenant screening and evictions, contact us today.
