Your tenant has been late with the rent for the third month in a row, with tales of short hours, job loss (again) or unexpected bills. You tried being sympathetic and understanding the first month. The second month, you chuckled along about some story with yet another old coworker who “had it out for them from day one”. Now, in their third month of non-payment (or did they pay one third of the rent for three months ago? You forget). So, now, tiring of being Mr. or Ms. Nice Landlord, you’re bringing out the guns and giving a three day notice of eviction.
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Give a notice then you never hear from them again.
Not so fast! These days residents are turning to attorney’s and filing against you for ‘wrongful eviction’ or on some technicality of the notice. And winning. ‘No sweat’, you think. All you’ll have to pay is their measly little down payment and the residents are still out big bucks because of the high attorney’s fees. Really, you’re surprised they’d go through all that hassle and heartache just to end up paying more than they’re getting, maybe. If they win.
Not so fast again. Now, attorneys are charging ‘Multipliers’ (which increase the award by two or three times the original amount, including attorney’s fees). “Woah, hold on a moment!” You think. Exactly.
These days, you, the landlord, could be out thousands and thousands of dollar; so, instead of the tenant running from the courtroom in tears that could very well be you. Next time you run a three day notice through your attorney and they have suggestions, be sure to heed their advice or you could be losing in court.