With all the responsibilities of property ownership, the last thing you want to deal with is troublesome tenants. If it was as easy as telling them to leave, many people would likely become landlords; unfortunately, it isn’t.
If you’re tired of dealing with an unpleasant tenant but don’t want to deal with the eviction process, there are options. Let’s explore some tactful, respectful, and legal ways to encourage a bad tenant to leave.
Propose a Mutual Agreement
Sometimes, getting a tenant to leave is as easy as having an open, honest, and respectful conversation with them about the situation. You could cite frequent late payments, repeated lease violations, or ongoing complaints from neighbors as your reasoning, making it clear that it’s not a personal matter.
If the tenant agrees, ensure that you have this agreement documented and signed. A mutual agreement can be a peaceful solution that prevents a lengthy and costly eviction process.
Offer a Cash-for-Keys Deal
One effective and immediate solution to a frustrating tenant situation can be the cash-for-keys deal. This involves offering the tenant money to return the keys and vacate the property.
It’s a win-win situation: the tenant receives a financial incentive to move, and you, as the landlord, can swiftly regain control of your property without the hassles of legal proceedings. While it will cost you money, it’s a quick solution if you’re anxious to get a bad tenant off your hands. However, you need to ensure that both parties document and sign any agreement to make it legally binding.
Help the Tenant Find a New Place
Offering to help your tenant find a new place can speed up moving them out of your property. This might involve recommending other rental properties that fall within the tenant’s budget or connecting them with local real estate agents.
You could also provide a good reference for the tenant, provided they agree to leave your property without further issues. This approach requires a level of patience and goodwill on your part, but it can be an effective method for resolving a difficult situation without resorting to costly legal action.
Legally Raise the Rent
If the local laws in your jurisdiction permit, you may choose to legally raise the rent to encourage a problematic tenant to move out. This tactic is a simple and legal way to encourage a bad tenant to leave, but you must remain in full compliance with local housing and rental laws.
Some areas have rent control laws that limit how much you can increase the rent and how often, or there may be laws regarding how much notice you must give the tenant. You should understand your local and state laws before using this method, as violations could result in legal consequences.
Once you’re rid of your bad tenant, you must employ tactics to prevent a new one from moving in. At Excalibur Homes, our property management services include extensive screenings to match you with the perfect tenant. Our property managers will do everything they can to make your property ownership experience as smooth as possible.
