How to Get Rid of Bad Tenants: Legal Ways to Remove Problematic Renters

As a landlord, dealing with bad tenants can be a nightmare. Whether they’re not paying rent on time, causing damage to your property, or engaging in illegal activity, you may be wondering how to get rid of them without going through the eviction process. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to legally remove a bad tenant and avoid costly legal battles.

What Makes a Bad Tenant?

A bad tenant can come in many forms, but they typically exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

• Failure to pay rent on time
• Causing damage to the property
• Engaging in illegal activity
• Refusing to leave the property
• Violating the terms of the lease agreement
• Disturbing other tenants or neighbors
• Being uncooperative or difficult to work with

How to Avoid Bad Tenants

The best way to deal with bad tenants is to avoid them altogether. Here are some tips to help you screen potential renters and find the right tenant for your property:

• Conduct a thorough background check, including credit and criminal history.
• Verify employment and income to ensure they can afford the rent.
• Contact previous landlords to ask about their rental history.
• Consider requiring a larger security deposit or the first and last month’s rent upfront.
• Clearly communicate your expectations and lease terms to potential tenants.
  

6 Ways to Get Rid of Bad Tenants

If you’re already dealing with a problematic renter, here are some legal ways to get rid of them without going through the eviction process:

1. Sell Your Property

If you are fed up with your tenant situation and want to sell, contact us. Not everyone wants to be a landlord and it’s understandable. Whether you are keen to sell a single property or an entire portfolio, We Are Home Buyers can help you do this quickly and easily. We have years of experience in the real estate business and know how to maximize your return from the sale.

2. Provide Incentives to Get the Tenant to Leave (Cash For Keys)

Offering the tenant a cash payment, also known as “cash for keys,” in exchange for vacating the property can be a win-win solution. The tenant gets a financial incentive to leave, and you can avoid the cost and hassle of going through the eviction process.

3. Change the Locks

If the tenant has abandoned the property or violated the lease agreement, you may be able to change the locks without legal repercussions. However, you must follow proper legal procedures and provide the tenant with a new key if they pay rent and request access to the property.

4. Sue for Damages

If the tenant has caused damage to your property, you can sue them for the cost of repairs. Make sure to document the damage with photos and repair estimates to prove your case in court.

5. Raise The Rent

There are a variety of creative methods to get rid of a bad tenant without going through the eviction process, such as increasing the rent or offering the tenant a new lease agreement with less favorable terms. However, these methods may not always be legal, so make sure to consult with a legal professional before trying them.

6. File for Eviction

If all else fails, you may need to file for eviction. Make sure to follow proper legal procedures and provide the tenant with an eviction notice, which typically gives them 30 days to vacate the property.

Your Rights as a Landlord

As a landlord, you have certain rights that protect you from bad tenants. These include:

• The right to collect rent on time and evict tenants who don’t pay.
• The right to enter the property for repairs or maintenance.
• The right to sue for damages caused by the tenant.
• The right to remove a tenant who violates the lease agreement

Removing a Bad Tenant Without Eviction

While eviction can be a time-consuming and costly process, there are legal ways to remove tenants without going through the formal eviction process. Here are some options to consider.

1. Notify the Tenant of Lease Violations

If the tenant is violating the lease agreement, you can provide them with written notice of the violation and give them a deadline to correct the behavior or vacate the property. Make sure to keep copies of all communication and follow any specific procedures required by your state’s landlord-tenant laws.

2. Provide Your Tenant with a “Pay or Quit” Notice

If the tenant is behind on rent, you can provide them with a “pay or quit” notice, which gives them a set amount of time to pay the rent or vacate the property. Make sure to follow the proper legal procedures for this type of notice, as the rules can vary by state.

3. Offer the Tenant a Move-Out Incentive

Similar to offering cash for keys, you can offer the tenant a financial incentive to move out of the property voluntarily. This could include paying for a moving truck or offering to help cover the cost of a new rental application. 

4. Let the Tenant Know That Inspections Aren’t the Only Reason to Enter the Property

While landlords are typically allowed to enter a rental property to perform inspections, there are other reasons you may be legally allowed to enter the property. For example, a landlord may be able to enter the property to make repairs or show the property to potential tenants. In these situations, the landlord just needs to give the tenant notice. 

5. Help Them Find a New Place

If you’re trying to nudge tenants to find a new place, one great way to do that is to help them find that new place. You could offer to provide them with a list of nearby rentals or even help them out by doing some research for them. Trying to get a tenant to move without a place to go will have many landlords extremely frustrated.

Legal Reasons to Remove Tenants

While evicting a tenant can be a time-consuming and expensive process, there are certain legal reasons that may justify the removal of a tenant. Here are some examples:

• Non-payment of rent
• Violation of the lease agreement
• Damage to the property
• Illegal activity
• Threats or violence against other tenants or neighbors
• Refusal to vacate the property after the lease has expired

Avoiding Bad Tenants

The best way to avoid dealing with bad tenants is to be proactive in your tenant screening process. Here are some tips to help you find the right tenants:

• Conduct thorough background checks, including credit and criminal history.
• Verify employment and income to ensure they can afford the rent.
• Contact previous landlords to ask about their rental history.
• Clearly communicate your expectations and lease terms to potential tenants.

Conclusion

While dealing with bad tenants can be a frustrating experience, there are legal ways to remove them from your property without going through the formal eviction process. By staying proactive in your tenant screening process and following proper legal procedures, you can protect your property and avoid costly legal battles. Remember to always consult with a legal professional before taking any legal action against a tenant.

If you absolutely can’t get rid of a tenant, check out some of these sneaky ways to get rid of terrible tenants. There’s always a way and in the post, we discuss some very creative ways to get rid of bad tenants legally.