Almost Done With Eviction

[Arnie Guida]

It's been over ten years since I've had to do an eviction.

Tenant has been with me just over one year, rent has rarely been on time, late fees paid other times... I knew an eviction was coming...

My biggest mistake?

They had a cocaine arrest...red flag. It was just over five years ago... They checked out otherwise...I have a heart, and figured people make mistakes, and I went against my gut. I now see many landlords don't rent to applicants with evictions within the last 10 years, and no drug arrests at all.

Lesson learned.

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Random thoughts looking back:

I gave the 5 Day on the 5th.

6 days later I went to court to get a court date, earliest was the 27th @ 1:30.

Tenant was served the next day.

Tenant wanted to stay, offered to pay court and serving costs (99+35) plus my time for a total of $200 on top of the rent and late fee.

Because of the late court date, I offered to vacate the eviction if I also received March rent.

Tenant agreed. No further contact from tenant. 

Sent text this past Sunday reminding them of the court date the next day and giving 12 hour notice to enter apartment in the morning to see if they were still there.

Went to the apartment in the morning, no tenant, but all possessions were still there.

Went to court, tenant didn't show.

Got the judgement, got a writ, went to the mover for the letter, gave all the paperwork to the Sheriff.

Informed tenant, politely encouraged them to move before the Sheriff and movers get there. (7-10 days).

Now to keep an eye the apartment to see if they move before the Sheriff and movers get there ( usually they do) so I can cancel and not incur the big expense... 

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Now to get the apartment ready and rented. I've put the word out about the vacancy and already have received some interest and phone calls.