Even the best of landlords will likely have to deal with a problem tenant at least somewhere along the line. This is especially the case if you own numerous rental properties, or properties that have multiple units for lease.
There are a variety of reasons why you may have to evict a tenant. While it is often because they haven’t paid their rent, other reasons could include them damaging the property, or because they are disrupting the other tenants.
In any case, in order to end your lease agreement with them, it will be necessary to follow the proper legal procedure. Otherwise, you may not only run the risk of losing the eviction case, but you could also end up in civil court.
The first step in the process is to determine whether or not you even are able to evict the tenant. This will entail going back and carefully reading over the lease agreement to decipher the specific reasons that are listed.
For example, it may state that any damage that is caused to your property by the tenant must be proven in court. Likewise, there may be specific rules set out in the agreement such as noise restrictions and/or limitations on the number of guests that are allowed to stay in the property for a certain amount of time.
Oftentimes, it will be required that the landlord provide the tenant will a notice of minor infractions so that the issue(s) can be corrected prior to being able to begin any eviction proceedings.
If it does seem probable that you will have to evict the tenant, it will be important to be familiar with the Landlord and Tenant Act. This details the legal process for evicting the problem tenant – and in order to win your case, it will be necessary to follow the process specifically. More information about this Act can be found on the Florida State Attorney General’s website.
Having a property manager on your side for any type of dealings with tenants can always make the property investment process much easier. To learn more about how to let a property manager take over all of the day to day duties of dealing with tenants and property maintenance, give us a call.