Even the most carefully managed apartments or homes may occasionally evict tenants. In the United States, there is an average of 3.6 million evictions performed every year. Evictions have to be carried out within the confines of local and state law.
If you are interested in learning about how to evict wayward or delinquent tenants, we'll cover the eviction process in this article. By following something as simple as an eviction checklist, you can protect yourself from liability or other unexpected events.
When Is It Necessary to Evict Tenants in Charlotte North Carolina?
As a property manager or owner in Charlotte, you take steps to find the best tenants possible. Even the most diligent landlords face certain situations where a tenant may need to be evicted.
Property Damage
Any tenant who damages property is a liability. Holes in walls or damage to appliances require significant repairs that come out of your pocket. In most states, property damage is grounds for evicting tenants.
Subletting
Subletting is the practice of renters renting to people who are not officially on the lease. Sometimes, the tenant is gone for long periods of time, so he or she rents an apartment or home to a friend or relatives.
Subletting is almost always prohibited. A sublet apartment takes away the landlord's ability to control who lives on their property.
Failure to Pay Rent
Failure to pay rent is one of the leading reasons that a landlord may seek an eviction. Apartment leases outline when rent is due, so a breach of payment is a breach of contract. Most COVID-related eviction protections have been lifted, but landlords should check their state and city guidelines to be sure.
How to Handle an Eviction
It goes without saying that you should take every step reasonably possible to avoid evicting a tenant. Sometimes, tenants simply need a payment plan that allows them to get back on track. At the very least, it is usually worth speaking to the tenant directly.
When there is no reasonable resolution to the issue at hand, you can begin the process of evicting the tenant. Check with your city and state laws, but the process usually begins by posting a notice of eviction
The letter may offer the tenant the opportunity to avoid eviction if they pay back rent or fulfill some other step. If the tenant fails to fulfill your request, you can file for eviction with a local applicable court (usually a municipal court).
You will need to attend the court hearing and bring proper documents. If you are familiar with the proceedings, you may not need to bring a lawyer.
If the court rules in your favor, you'll be given the authorization to evict your tenant. Most states give peace officers the authority to perform the eviction.
Law enforcement officers typically give the tenant a timeframe to leave. You should never conduct an eviction yourself.
Learn More About the Evictions Process
Any landlord should understand how to conduct evictions. While unpleasant, evictions are a common process that landlords occasionally need to perform. If evictions are a recurring problem, you can strengthen your screening process by conducting more thorough credit and criminal background checks.
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