Real estate investing can be profitable, but it can also be stressful. You must enter one of your rentals to find doors off hinges or trash in the yard, or you might look at your finances to see that some of your tenants are months late with the rent.
That's why tenant evictions exist. They are there to protect your investment. Here is a quick guide on tenant evictions and how to get the process right.
Evictions and the Law in Burlington
State and federal laws protect tenants from evictions, so any Burlington landlord must familiarize themselves with these. In North Carolina, for example, you can only evict a tenant for specific reasons, including:
- Not paying the rent
- Violating specific lease terms
- Staying in the property after the lease ends
Trying to evict a tenant without following the law could end up with you getting sued by your tenant. So always stay updated with the latest rules.
The Property Management Eviction Process: Step by Step
To evict a tenant, you must do things in a particular order. Here are the steps:
- You issue an eviction notice to your tenant for the specific violation
- You'll provide your tenant with a timeframe for sorting the breach
- If the timescale expires without action, you can file an eviction notice with the courts
- The court hearing takes place
- The judge will rule in your favor or your tenants
- If the judge rules in your favor, law enforcement officers can remove the tenant
You must also follow specific rules to ensure your eviction aligns with the law. For example, you can't evict someone with a verbal notice; it must be written.
Tenant Eviction Rules and Responsibilities
While there are laws to protect tenants from evictions, it's important to remember that every tenant has responsibilities that sit alongside those protections.
Tenants must look after a property and report any damage to the landlord. Likewise, tenants must always pay the rent on time, and those timescales will always be written into the lease and signed by the tenant before they move into the property.
Eviction Process Tips
Evictions can be stressful for landlords. Here are a few tips to help the process run more smoothly:
- Always document and photograph any property damage
- Use comprehensive tenant screening to protect yourself from bad tenants
- Keep communicating with tenants because that can often help you avoid an eviction scenario
- Get legal advice where required
Always be proactive with your tenant management, as it's the best way to reduce the risk of an eviction. If you are unfortunate enough to face an eviction process, revisit your tenant screening process before you sign up a new tenant.
Evictions: Ensuring You Protect Your Investment
Evictions may be something every landlord dreads, but it pays to be prepared. Use these tips to guide you and make sure you are fully updated on the law.
You should also reach out to our team for professional support.
Our extensive experience and "service-first" approach at Legacy Property Management NC means we can help you navigate any real estate challenge, including evictions. Learn more about our services in Burlington here.