Evictions are an essential element of the job for rental owners and Idaho Falls property managers. When dealing with frustrating renters, evicting them won’t always be the best option. Evictions can be expensive and time-consuming for both you and your renter. Rarely does the eviction process benefit either the property owner or the tenant. Due to this, occasionally evicting a tenant may be the incorrect course of action. You and your tenant would probably benefit more if you find better solutions than eviction in these circumstances.
Your Otherwise Good Renter Falls Behind on Rent
Owning a thriving rental property depends on having a reliable tenant. Sometimes dependable renters often suffer financial problems, unemployment, or other issues that make it difficult for them to make rent payments. It’s undeniable that not paying the rent violates their lease, and that should be understood by all the parties involved. Yet, perhaps it isn’t the best course of action to evict a tenant for neglecting to pay one or even multiple monthly installments. This is usually the case if the tenant has a history of prompt payments, good housekeeping, and property maintenance.
Working with your renter to find a solution to assist them in making up any unpaid rent may be the best option in such cases. It’s certainly better than eviction. This might be a terrific strategy to avoid the price of evicting and replacing your renter while also winning your renter’s sincere gratitude, provided that the renter’s financial issues are momentary. This method is more likely to help you collect all of the missed rent payments and retain a good tenant in the long run if you are prepared to bear a small financial loss in the short term.
You Don’t Have Clear Legal Grounds
There are some instances where an eviction can result in more legal issues than it would resolve. Avoid these no matter what. Confusion surrounding your legal grounds for eviction is one of these scenarios. If your tenant has reported to you or the local housing authority about the habitability of the residence and you have not taken efforts to resolve the issue, your attempt to evict the tenant may be considered retaliatory and dismissed.
Another illustration would be if a renter who belongs to a protected class felt that your eviction was against them. According to the federal Fair Housing Act, it is prohibited to evict a tenant on the grounds of skin color, age, marital status, religion or sexual habits, among other factors. Your tenant may sue you if your eviction is found to be discriminatory.
Last but not least, use caution while trying to evict someone for non-payment of rent or when taking partial rent payments. Receiving any amount of rent from the renter may result in you losing your legal grounds for eviction and finding yourself in a tough position. This is because taking partial payments results in an implied contract between you and your tenant, even if it isn’t documented in writing, and a judge is likely to view it as continuing your lease. Waiting till the situation is clearer is preferable if you don’t have definite legal justifications for an eviction.
You’d Rather Keep Your Money
The eviction procedure is costly, and it’s not merely because of the associated legal expenditures. What would likely happen is that once your tenant learns that you’ll be attempting to evict them from the rental property, rent payments will stop, and so will any cleaning or maintenance of the property. Both lost wages and increased cleaning and repair costs are often the results of this.
Given the cost and inconvenience of the eviction procedure, you could consider paying your tenant to vacate. This kind of “cash for keys” arrangement can make it possible for a renter who is having financial difficulties to move out amicably or might persuade a stubborn renter to leave as soon as possible. It may seem peculiar to give cash to someone who owes you money, but even a lump sum cash payment of several hundred dollars is significantly less than the cost of evicting the renter.
Avoid Eviction with Quality Property Management
Finding a decent tenant with a track record of timely rent payments is one of the easiest methods to fully avoid evictions. Although, it may be challenging to achieve that, especially if you have other things to do. In order to select the best potential candidates for your rental property, Real Property Management Southeast Idaho carefully screens each applicant. Our Idaho Falls property management specialists can then assist in advising you on the best course of action to take if any issues do develop in the future. Contact us online today to learn more!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.