Motel, Weekly Rentals, Evictions

[Abraham Anderson]

I'm trying to turn around a motel (located in Tennessee, Sevier County). Currently it's weekly rentals. Most of the tenants do not have leases. There are several who have no intention of paying & need to be evicted.

Going forward, is there a way to structure a lease/agreement where an eviction isn't necessary? I.e. nightly motels don't need to go through an eviction process, right? If someone overstays, I would assume they could call the police to remove them as a trespasser. Could something like this be set up on a weekly basis?

[Charlie Price]

I have a 28 unit motel conversion that I rent out monthly and weekly fully furnished units.  It was previously a "flea bag" motel that I renovated.  After dealing with one unruly tenant/guest that I had to get the police involved, I had a conversation with the officer.  He thanked me for all the effort I had done cleaning up the place and that the property looked better then he had ever seen in it and he had grown up there and been on the police force for over 15 years.  He advised me to simply have them sign a Hotel/Motel type agreement and then call him if I had troubles.  He would move them right out immediately!  I have had 0 "stay overs" since implementing this.

I have a one page agreement for weekly people.  First item of agreement states...

Guest is considered a Hotel/Motel guest under our “short term” agreement. He/She DOES NOT have residency rights of a Tenant and is NOT under a Tenant/Landlord agreement. He/She may pay up to 30 days in advance and is still considered a “short term” Hotel/Motel guest under this agreement. At any time management can end this agreement, and ask guest to leave. If guest does not leave, he/she will be considered to be trespassing. Quiet time is between 10PM-6AM

I also collect 1st week and LAST weeks rent at move in time.  That way, I am always 1 week ahead with weekly rental payments and never surprised by a last minute move out.  I have monthly and weekly tenants.  Some that have been with me 3 and 4 years!