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This is the most comprehensive set of Internet resources for landlords who need to evict a tenant, or have already evicted tenants and want to avoid going through it all over again.

Each of the 50 states is a sovereign entity, and each has its own procedure for in listing the assistance of the law in dispossessing a tenant. All share the common feature of notice and an opportunity for the tenant to be heard before a law officer removes them from the property, i.e., due process.  Evictions, with a few exceptions, start with a notice of some sort, giving the tenant an opportunity to do certain things or move, or simply to move within a limited time.  It is this notice that places the tenant in the position of wrongfully withholding possession of the rental unit from the owner and gives the law the authority to come to the owner’s aid.  There are many protections under the law for tenants as there are many legal rights that can be easily exercised by landlords to evict tenants who fail to comply with the any oral or written rental or lease agreement. 

 

Eviction notices can be divided into two groups: 

1.    Non-payment of Rent Notices-most of which the tenant must pay or vacate the premises. These are the most common eviction notices used. 

2.    Conditional or Unconditional Quit or Vacate Notices –which either demand possession within a limited time out right or give the tenant an opportunity to perform some acts (correct or cure), other than pay rent, or vacate, at its option. 

Notices, where required, are essential to obtaining an order for dispossession.  An eviction without a proper notice is a violation of due process of law, much is if your mortgage company were to send thugs out to remove you from your home if you are late on the payments, without going through the proper legal proceedings.  Just as the courts will not allow a mortgage company to do this to you, they will not allow you to do it to your tenants. 

The content of the notice requirements are specified by your state legislature.  You must serve a written notice containing all of the language required, and none of which is prohibited.  If you are going to use a form, use one prepared with your states requirements in mind.  Never use a generic form. 

Eviction is a huge expense.  Do everything you can to avoid it.  If you cannot avoid it, do all that is necessary to get it over with fast.

Avoiding Problem Tenants

Adopting Excellent Management Practice

Renting Out Your Residential Property – ABA Guide 

Do-it-yourself – Landlord.com’s Do-it-yourself Center

Establishing Rental or Apartment Policies and Procedures

Establishing Rental Standards

Properly Screening Prospective Tenants 

Training New and Current Tenants 

Welcome Letter with Rent Number 1 Priority – Start with the all-important welcome new tenant

Rent Collection Policy and Procedure – emphasize the importance of paying rent timely

How to Establish and Enforce a Rent Collection– learn how to execute your own effective rent collection policy now

Effective Rent Collection Techniques for Every Landlord – collect all the rent every time

“House Rules” – a great set of written rules tenants must follow

Ways to Collect Rent: The More than Two Dozen Ways!  – learn about the over 26 creative and effective ways landlords can collect rent 

Avoiding Tenant Disputes – a good look at tenant problem solving 

Acknowledgment and Confirmation of Tenant’s Intent to Vacate Premises Letter – it always good landlording practice to confirm receiving the tenant’s notice to move-out 

Hire a Property Management Company Checklist - FREE

Confirming Company Policy and Procedures

Monitoring Company Practice 

Dealing with Problem Tenants 

Correcting Problems Early

Keeping a Lid on Landlord Troubles – see how one landlord faces the challenge

Agreement and Lease Violations Letters– see a comprehensive list of tenant warning letters that work

Reasons to Evict – check out the varied reasons for tenant eviction

Too Many Occupants? – a good read on the subject

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE TENANT LEAVES EARLY- catch misbehaving tenants before the move-out

Lease Agreement Violation- the reason landlords should not sit on recurring lease violations

Unauthorized Pet Letter (first contact) - nip the violating tenant with a pet early

Demand for Removal of Violent Tenant Pet- warn tenant of violent pet removal

Prohibited Appliance – notify tenant of illegal appliance installation

Early Move Out Lease Letter - Tenant Breaks Lease & Moves Early – landlords stop a tenant from cheating on last months rent

Avoid Lease Violations with this Lease Agreement ADDENDUM – use this form to prevent problems