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Evicting a tenant can be awkward, and it's not a position anyone wants to be in. It can also be a lengthy, complex process.
To make the process of evictions as simple as possible, we have put together a few steps. Read on to learn how to make it a little less stressful.
Keep Evictions Legal
First, you have to determine if it is legal for you to evict your tenant. The consequences of illegal evictions are not light, so be sure.
For your protection, keep records of your actions. It's also not a good idea to evict without using the courts. Don't try and hurry the process along by locking the tenant out of the property or shutting off the utilities. Keep yourself within the law.
These laws around handling evictions vary from state to state, so check the laws that apply to your state. In Colorado, you can evict a tenant for the following reasons:
- Failure to pay rent on time
- Lease violation
- The property is sold through auction
- Violent or antisocial criminal acts
Have a Chat
Before you possibly over-complicate it for yourself, sit down with your tenant and have a conversation. Offer to meet somewhere neutral, like a coffee shop.
A face-to-face meeting means it is less likely that something will get lost in translation as it can through a letter or email. You can be clear and firm that they need to move out. Sometimes a simple conversation is all that is needed and you can both part ways without having to go through the eviction process.
Whether it is your first time having to evict tenants or your hundredth, it's not a pleasant experience. Some landlords opt for help from property management for that extra support, security, and experience.
Provide Proper Notice
Once you are sure you have the legal right to evict your tenant, you need to create the notice to vacate. This is also known as an eviction notice and is an example of a record you need to keep that we mentioned earlier.
This notice will act as proof to the court that you provided adequate notice before filing an eviction lawsuit.
Handling Evictions
The next step is court if your eviction notice is ignored. In Colorado, the judge may require you to try mediation before a hearing.
From the date of judgment, the tenants have 2-7 days to vacate the unit. This timeline can vary from state to state. In Colorado, for example, they have 48 hours to leave.
Again, it is still not a good idea to lock the tenants out or shut off the utilities if they don't leave in time. Get local law enforcement involved.
Be Prepared
There's no guarantee how evictions will turn out, but as long as you're organized, you'll be prepared for whatever the eventuality.
Being a landlord can be stressful, even without the evictions process, and a tricky journey to navigate. Therefore, if you would like some support, contact us today. We will take away some of the worries that come with owning rental properties.
