steps that landlords should take against tenants who fail to pay rent

Being a landlord is no easy task. Sure, you get paid to have tenants living on your property – but that also means being on the lookout for them skipping out on their rent. And late payments are just one of many reasons why you should be prepared for this situation. Heavy damage to the property, illegal activity or even unauthorized pets can lead to complicated situations with tenants who fail to pay rent. Providing the best experience for your tenants is essential. You want them not just to pay their rent in time but also to take care of the property and live there in peace. But what do you do when a tenant starts paying late? Or doesn’t it pay at all? First things first: don’t panic! Although it might appear unpleasant, it is best to think calmly about your next steps. Depending on where you live, the issue of a tenant not paying rent can lead to serious legal consequences, which may be hard to deal with on your own. Here are the steps that landlords should take against tenants who fail to pay rent:

Contact Your Tenant Directly

The first thing you should do in case a tenant fails to pay on time is to contact them directly and find out the problem. The best way to do this is by sending them a letter in legal terms called a “Payment Demand Notice.” This paper should clearly state how much rent they still owe and that you are willing to negotiate. In most cases, if the tenant does not have the money but can pay it in a reasonable time, they will do so. That is why it is vital to be open to negotiation. If you are not planning on accepting late or partial payment, clearly state this.

File A Lawsuit

You can file a lawsuit if your tenant does not pay rent or gives you another reason to go to court. You must get a summons and complaint form at the courthouse and fill it out. This form needs information about both parties’ names, addresses, phone numbers and why you are suing them. The court clerk will give you the date when your case will be heard, and defend yourself by saying why you should win the lawsuit. Your tenant may not show up in court on that day, so if this happens, you will get a default judgment from the judge, who already has details of what happened from your paperwork.

Find An Attorney

If you are planning to go to court, you need an attorney. The main thing is that they will represent you in court, so make sure to find one who does so. There are a lot of lawyers in the country, and choosing the wrong one can lead to costly mistakes. You will also need a lawyer if you want to go through eviction service. On the other hand, if you do not plan on going to court and want to ask your tenant nicely that they pay rent on time and follow the rules of your property, then it may not be necessary for you.

Wait For The Eviction

In most cases, an eviction service will need a couple of days to make an appointment with the tenant, and then they will be able to remove them from your property. However, if you are going through a court eviction process, then it can take weeks until it is over.

Tenants who fail to pay rent are an absolute nuisance, and the worst part is that they often seem to get away with it. Landlords should take action against those wily tenants, though!