How to evict this tenant? -Las Vegas

Question

I bought a 4-plex in Clarke County, Las Vegas just over a month ago. There were 3 units occupied when I bought it.
	 2 of the tenants are fantastic and paid rent immediately. The third is  an incredibly rude, arrogant couple who refuse to pay rent and refuse to  leave.  
	 These people have no lease with me and as far as I'm concerned they are  squatters. Am I able to remove their stuff and change the locks or do I  still need to go through formal proceedings to go through the court and  get an eviction order?

Phillip Dwyer · Answer

@Nat Chan You can't let their rude behavior keep you from evaluating all of your options.  This is business, don't let it get personal.

Account Closed · Answer

Nat,

So you are a long distance landlord.

Joe Gore

Michaela G. · Answer

@Nat Chan , in the big scheme of things, it may be cheaper to offer them cash, then to wait a couple of months to go through the eviction. And since they're already rude, they may be the type of people to damage the unit badly, before they get evicted. And the repairs may be more than the missed rent during vacancy.

Nat C. · Answer

Phillip these people are the rudest, most disgusting human beings I've come across. I am not about to give them money to go feed their crack addiction

Phillip Dwyer · Answer

Hello @Nat Chan as several have said previously, do not remove their belongings, change locks, or do anything to force them to move other than going through the legal eviction process.  I'm surprised you were not provided the lease agreements as part of your due diligence, but that's a separate issue at this point.  An alternative to eviction could be a cash for keys offer by you to the problem tenants.  That may be quicker as December usually is a moratorium period for evictions in the Vegas metro.  Cash for keys may also help avoid any further damage by the occupants.

Nat C. · Answer

Thanks Marcia, great advice

Marcia Maynard · Answer

Welcome to the business.  You need to know and understand all of the residential rental laws for your state/county/municipality, follow them and seek legal counsel as necessary.  When there is a change in ownership of residential property there are procedures to follow.  One is to establish your relationship with those occupying your properties.

Did the previous property owner turn over the rent files to you?  Did the previous property owner have rental agreements in place with all of the people occupying the premises?  How does your rental agreement differ from what the tenants are used to?

Either get a rental agreement in place or evict.  You need to remove these people from your property by legal process.  That means eviction.  You can not boot them out by changing locks and moving their belongings.  Think about your personal safety too.  You must consider the concerns and safety of your good tenants (I trust you have a rental agreement in place with them) as well as how you will attract good tenants to the property for the empty unit.

Have you seen the movie "Pacific Heights"?  I recommend you do.  It's a thriller about the experiences of a couple who are new to landlording.  Entertaining and educational.  Good luck!

Nat C. · Answer

It was a traditional sale.

I asked the couple for a copy of their lease and they told me they don't have one.

Brian Mathews · Answer

I'm sure there is a legal process to go through to get them out.  You need to check local laws through whatever court services that in your area.  If nothing else, consult an attorney.

How to evict this tenant? -Las Vegas

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