Eviction Happy Ending

[Anna Buffkin]

I filed my first eviction in a couple of years last month.  Today was the court date and would have been the first time I went before a judge in an eviction.  Other times I've started the process, but I got my payment or keys before this point.  

Anyway, I felt for the guy.  He is an older gentleman and a veteran who has had multiple heart attacks and is in the process of filing for disability.  He paid is rent with his savings, but he ran out of cash.

He reached out to the VA who got him in touch with the Alston Wilkes Society, a non-profit group dedicated to assisting homeless and at risk persons. They are providing him with assistance getting his VA and disability benefits and most importantly are keeping him in his home via a grant program for veterans. It came down to the wire, but he got approved and I got my promise to pay from the society yesterday at 4:30. The court date was today at 9:30. They don't cut checks until the first, and I had to sign a form saying I would not evict him during this time frame, which is not a problem.

Long story short, his rent, including past due and late fees,  is being paid for by the program.  This is a win-win for both of us!

[Anna Buffkin]

@Glenn McCrorey I thought about that last night when everything went through.  I admit I did give him more time than I usually would before filing the eviction and it almost cost me.   

Thankfully the tenant and I are still on good terms.  I never threatened to toss him out or any of the other crazy stuff you hear about.  I listened to his long winded explanations of what was going on (he lives alone) and told him I recognized I'm hounding him as we talked 1-2 times a week but I hope he understood which he did.  When I got the approval from the assistance program, I called and told him I had cancelled the court date and held no ill will regarding the late rent.  

Handling it professionally while still having a heart saved me money, helped me keep a good tenant relationship, and avoided an eviction and turnover.  

I sell myself as big enough to know what I am doing (or at least look like it :-) ), but small enough to not be "The Man" to tenants.  It has helped me keep a good relationship and avoid high turnover while still getting my rent over the years.