What to expect during a tenant "present" eviction?

Question

I'll be performing a sheriff escorted eviction tomorrow morning at 10 am.

I know the tenant and her sons belongings and they are still in the property.

I just want to hear from people who have been there as to what to expect.

I fear backlash such as damaged property after the eviction, I.e. Spray painting, broken windows etc.

Thanks for any, possibly calming, advice and reassurance

Justen Ashcraft · Answer

I can't think of it being anything but a loss, like firing an employee.  After all, we put them in the property to begin with.  I'll never make this mistake, not properly vetting, again.

Justen Ashcraft · Answer

I don't think an eviction will get much worse.  The tenants stayed and basically used my help to box things up for them.  We would put it out into the lawn, and they would then pack it into their vehicles.  Obviously they didn't have enough space for everything, but the valuable things they removed.  I was shocked that they didn't have anything at all boxed up, as if I was bluffing when I told her that the eviction was set for today.  Oh well, lesson learned.  It took 8 guys all of 2 hours to safely get things removed from the property.  The sheriff did a great job on their behalf and a good job on mine.  He made sure that nothing was broken and that the premises was cleared.  Fairly straight forward ordeal.  I believe with lost rent included the entire thing cost me around $2000 dollars.  This was the second dispossessory in 12 months, and that allowed me to refuse late rent, which I didn't need to do because she never presented the opportunity to pay it.  3 day pay or quit posted on the 5th,  dispossessory writ filed on the 9th  and writ of possession filed for on the 16th.  Eviction was today the 20th.  Georgia is very landlord friendly.  Tomorrow I'll post a curb cleanout on.craigslist to get the remainder of the trash off of my lawn.  Any questions feel free to ask.

Nicole A. · Answer

Many landlords fear backlash and remember horror stories they were told. Don't let it get the best of you. This eviction will most likely go without incident and you'll never hear from them again afterwards. You've been polite and professional, and I believe that really helps too. Evictions aren't fun. It can be stressful. You might fear a confrontation. But it's almost always much worse in our heads than reality.

Thomas S. · Answer

Funny how many landlords react to the final stages of evictions. I enjoy the final eviction. It is a opportunity to celebrate a win and should be enjoyed.

After struggling through arduous months of fighting arrogant dirt bag professional tenants it should be pure pleasure to exercise final authority.

Winning should be a celebration not simply a relief.

Justen Ashcraft · Answer

I'll post the video of the eviction tomorrow evening and add a link to it here.  Maybe it will help some other Georgia landlords feel more at ease.

Nancy Curran · Answer

Also, do your best to be "on the phone" as much as possible, limiting your interactions. I'd also bring cokes, if it's hot, everyone will be thirsty.

Jim C. · Answer

@Justen Ashcraft- Be professional and let the Sheriff do all the talking. Bring all your paperwork with you just to make sure anything should go awry. If the tenant wants to help move stuff, I would kindly tell them no and to wait outside near the street. Bring lots of garbage bags (preferably contractor grade) as most loose stuff / junk probably hasn't been packed and can be "gently" placed in garbage bags and hauled outside. Also bring a dolly for hauling the heavy stuff.

Justen Ashcraft · Answer

I've been 100% professional thus far, no resentment.  I have 6 guys to meet me there at 9:50 in the morning.  Paperwork says to have enough people to clean out in an hour and forty five minutes.  I plan on bringing a go-pro and filming it all as I change the locks front and back and make sure nothing is awry.

Wayne Brooks · Answer

The sheriff makes them open up, or you open with a key/locksmith. Sheriff makes them go outside. You have to have guys bring all their stuff outside. The unit is then yours, change the locks.  No need to be nasty, just business like.

Account Closed · Answer

I'd be surprised if they came back and damaged your property.  I think once the po po shows up and escorts them out, they will know they've lost the war.  Then, their focus will be on who they know who will let them stay with them.

And it seems like tenants know the difference between landlord-tenant disputes while they're still a tenant vs. criminal acts against a former landlord.

I haven't personally experienced what you're going to deal with, so I can't speak first hand to that.  But, whenever I've had to ask tenants to move out, they have all consistently recognized the point where there's nothing else they can do to stay, and they seemed to just accept it.  I had some try to convince me to let them move back in, but nothing crazy violent.

I did have one ex-tenant who wanted to move back in a few months later, and he threatened to hang around on the property waiting to talk to the owner.  He called something like 30 times in one day.  I called the police and they said that was harassment and they called him up and explained that to him and he knocked it off.

But, even then, there was no damage.  Just stubbornness about trying to get me to rent to them again, and all over the phone.

What to expect during a tenant "present" eviction?

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