How do apartment complexes handle evictions

[Yvonne H.]

Hi, I have a question about evictions. How long do apartment complexes wait after rent is due before filing for eviction? What if the tenant comes to them with a valid explanation, such as an unexpected car repair, etc? Do they work with the tenant?

[Matt Clark]

We post the five day Pay or Quit notice on the 6th (one day after the grace period ends). When the tenant comes to us offering excuses we explain to them that we are every bit as eager to resolve the situation as they are.

We explain that if they don’t pay within the specified 5 days, then we will file a subpoena for Unlawful Detainer. The return date for the UD will be scheduled by the court in about two weeks. So by that time it will be close to the end of the month, meaning they will have had three or four weeks to pay the balance due. If they aren’t able to pay in that amount of time then it will be up to the judge to decide.