How To Get Rid of Tenants Without Eviction
(“You can move out the hard way or the easy way”)
In this post:
Sometimes you'll want to get rid of a tenant without eviction. What can you do? One option is to try and get them to move voluntarily. In this blog post, we'll give you some tips. Enjoy!
post category: move out
As a landlord or property manager, there are many reasons why you may need to know how to get a tenant to move without eviction. Maybe you've decided to sell the property, perhaps the tenant is always late on rent, or they’re causing damage to the unit.
Maybe you're selling the property, or perhaps you need to make some major repairs. Whatever the reason, it's important to know how to go about getting a tenant to leave voluntarily and handle the situation in a way that is respectful of your tenant's rights while also protecting your own.
There are a few ways to get your tenant to voluntarily move out. One way is to be very honest with them and explain that you need the space for yourself or for another tenant. If all else fails, you could always just wait until their lease is up and then politely ask them to leave.
Whatever approach you take, the key is to be respectful and understanding. After all, they're just trying to find a place to live, like everyone else. Legally speaking your options of how to get a tenant to move out early without eviction are limited. However, there are a few tried-and-true methods you can use to persuade your tenant to leave voluntarily.
Appeal to their reasonableness to get tenants to move out
One approach on how to get a tenant to move out is to appeal to their sense of reasonableness. Explain your situation and offer a reasonable time for them to leave voluntarily. Use this option when you want to avoid playing hardball by threatening legal action if they don't comply.
Finally, you could try offering a trade: if they move out voluntarily, you'll agree to go above and beyond to help find them a new place to live. Tell them you’ll be a great reference on any application. While there is no best way to get a tenant out, with a little creativity, you should be able to convince even the most stubborn tenant to voluntarily move out.
Give your tenant a valid reason to move
If you're looking to get your tenant to move out, you'll need to give them a valid reason. The best way to get a tenant out is to make them aware that it’s inevitable. You can tell them how much you love them as a tenant but the fact remains that they still have to move out. Add to that a reason that they can understand will increase your chances of them moving.
With that in mind, here are five tips on conversations for getting a tenant to move out on their own accord.
- “We're planning major renovations and we need all the units vacant.”
- “We're selling the property and all the tenants need to be out by a certain date.”
- “You're always late with the rent and we've had enough.”
- “This is non-negotiable. We need you before next month's rent is due”
- You really don't need any valid reasons
How to get a tenant to move out so you can perform renovations
There are several reasons you may want to renovate.
- You’re planning to sell your rental property
- You want to upgrade your rental in order to get higher rents
- You have issues that need greater attention than just maintenance
Tell your tenants that you'll need them to relocate because you're planning on doing major renovations. Give them a reasonable time to find a new home. This should be at least 60 to 90 days. Get it in writing that you both agree. Tell them you’ll give a good reference for their rental application.
Offer to help them in their search for a new home that meets their qualifications by calling a few available rentals yourself and passing along the information. If they don’t follow up on any rentals or they don’t even apply, they’re just stringing you along. If this happens, you’ll have to consider another approach.
The best way to get a tenant out when you’re selling the property
If you're selling the property, let them know that the new owners will be moving in and they'll need to find somewhere else to live. Check your lease. Hopefully, it has a home selling clause or lease termination due to sale clause.
This gives the current landlord or new owner the right to cancel the lease and give notice to the tenant to move. If there is no such clause and your tenant is unwilling to move, the new owner will have to wait until the lease expires to ask the tenant to move out.
How to get a tenant to move without eviction when they’re always late with the rent
As any property owner knows, tenants can be a major headache. They're always late with the rent, they never seem to clean up after themselves, and they're always calling with some kind of problem. But what can you do when you've had enough and you want them to move? Here are a few things you can say to your tenant to encourage them to find a new place:
- You don’t want to file an eviction because it’ll make it hard for you to find a decent home not to mention ruin your credit.
- If you were to evict them they could lose their deposit.
- You’re willing to waive any late fees if they agree in writing to move out within a specified number of days
You don’t need to give a reason to get rid of a tenant
- Two reasons why you don’t have to explain to your tenant why they need to move out.
- Their lease is expiring and you won't be renewing it.
- They have no lease and are tenants at will.
Here’s an overview of the steps you might go through to get a tenant to move.
- Give the tenant notice
- Offer an incentive
- Communicate Respectfully and Professionally
- Be prepared to file for eviction if necessary
With any luck, one of these will convince your tenant to start looking for a new place to live. And if not, at least you've given them fair warning that their days at your property are numbered.
Give the tenant advance notice
The first step is to give your tenant as much advance notice as possible, so they can find a new place to live. If you're firm and polite, you’ll have a better chance of getting them to move out. Depending on the state in which the property is located and the reason for needing them to move out, landlords are required to give tenants anywhere from 30 to 60 days' notice that they need to vacate the premises.
This gives the tenant time to make any necessary arrangements and find a new place to live. It also ensures that they don't feel like they're being forced out without warning. Be sure to include the date by which they need to be out in your notice. Finally, check your state's laws regarding notice requirements before serving the tenant with notice.
Offer an incentive
Offer an incentive. In some cases, offering an incentive for voluntary departure can be enough to convince a tenant to leave on their own accord. For instance, you could offer one month's free rent if they agree to move out by a certain date.
If a tenant is partially responsible for existing damages you can offer not to deduct any fees from their security deposit. If the unit needs repairs or renovations, you could offer to pay for some of the moving expenses incurred as a result. Remember to put yourself in your tenant's shoes. It’s a major inconvenience both time-wise and financially to move out
Can you pay your tenant to leave?
The answer is yes...sort of. You wouldn’t directly pay your tenant to leave, but you can offer them what's known as a "cash for keys" agreement. With this agreement, you give the tenant a certain amount of money in exchange for their voluntarily moving out and leaving the property in good condition.
There are a few different ways that you can go about giving your tenant cash for keys, but the most important thing is to get it in writing. This way, you can avoid any legal issues down the road. Cash for keys is an alternative to eviction, and it basically means that you offer your tenant money to move out.
This can be a great way to avoid the hassle and expense of going through the eviction process. However, it's important to make sure that you get everything in writing before you hand over any money. Otherwise, you could end up in a situation where the tenant takes your money and then doesn't move out.
This is often seen as an alternative to eviction and a quick and easy way to get rid of problem tenants, which can be costly and time-consuming. So, if you're looking to get rid of your tenant without going through the hassle of evicting them, a cash-for-keys agreement might be the way to go. Just be sure that you line everything up correctly, or you could end up paying more than you bargained for.
How do get rid of my tenant by paying them to leave?
Here are a few things to keep in mind. First, the payment must be made voluntarily by the tenant - you cannot force them to accept it. Second, the tenant must actually move out - the payment cannot be made simply for them to leave the premises. Finally, keep in mind that paying a tenant to leave may have legal implications, so it's always best to consult with an attorney before taking any action.
If you’re confident that you can do it your self make sure you cover your assets. Get it in writing before you hand over any cash. Otherwise, you could find yourself in hot water if the tenant decides to sue you for wrongful eviction. So, if you're thinking about giving your tenant cash for keys, make sure you get it in writing first. It could save you a lot of headaches down the road. This will protect you from any legal liabilities if the tenant decides to stay put.
Be sure to state the amount of money you're offering, as well as the date by which the tenant must vacate the property. With Cash for Keys, it's always best to be upfront and honest with your tenants.
With that said, paying a tenant to leave can be an effective way to turn over a property - just be sure to do it carefully and within the bounds of the law. If your tenant decides to stay, you'll still be responsible for maintaining the property and meeting all the terms of the lease. So, while paying your tenant to leave might seem like an appealing option, it's not always the best solution.
Communicate Respectfully and Professionally
It's important to always communicate respectfully and professionally with your tenant, even if the situation is difficult. Remember that they have rights and you need to adhere to the terms of your lease agreement. If you are respectful and professional throughout the process, it will make it more likely that they will cooperate with you.
Be firm but fair. It's important to be firm with tenants when asking them to vacate the premises but also remember that they have rights too. If you try threatening or intimidating tactics, you could end up in hot water with your state's landlord-tenant laws. Simply put, just be honest about why you need them to leave and be upfront about any incentives you're offering for their cooperation.
Be prepared to file for eviction if necessary
Be prepared to file for eviction if necessary. In some cases, despite your best efforts, you may still need to evict the tenant. If this is the case, make sure you follow all the steps in your state's eviction process so that you are legally protected.
What are Federally Protected Classes Under the Fair Housing Act and why you should never evict for these reasons?
Federally Protected Classes are groups of people that the government has decided to need extra protection from discrimination, and as a result, landlords cannot evict tenants for being a part of these groups. The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they're renting, buying as well as renting a home.
The Fair Housing Act, enacted in 1968, made it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability. While these are the most well-known protected classes, there are also other groups that are protected under the Fair Housing Act. For example, it is illegal to discriminate against someone because of their marital status, whether they have children, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, or source of income, for example, because they receive government assistance.
So you cannot evict your tenant solely because they are a member of one of these groups. If you do, you could be facing some serious legal consequences. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is responsible for enforcing the Fair Housing Act. HUD investigates complaints of discrimination and works with landlords and real estate agents to improve compliance with the act. So if you're thinking about eviction, make sure you have a good reason that isn't related to Federally Protected Classes - otherwise, you might find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
Conclusion:
So there you have it, your complete guide to getting tenants to move out without drama or fuss. Getting a tenant to voluntarily move out doesn't have to be complicated or difficult. Just remember to give them proper notice. They’ll need as much advance notice as possible so they have time to make alternative arrangements.
Of course, every situation is unique and you may need to tailor these methods to fit your own specific needs, but the bottom line is that there are ways to get tenants to leave without having to resort to expensive and time-consuming eviction procedures. If all other solutions fail you may have to resort to eviction.
Eviction is never fun, but luckily it doesn't have to be inevitable. Offer an incentive if possible. Finally, always communicate respectfully and professionally throughout the process. By following these steps, you'll increase your chances of having a successful outcome.
Contact me with any questions and concerns about tenant evictions and eviction notices. I'd be happy to help you solve your tenant eviction problems.
tony@ustayupay.com