Tenant behind on rent and went into rehab

[Eric Allgeier]

I have a tenant in a triplex that owes 1 month rent.  I told him I was going to start the eviction process two weeks ago and haven’t heard from him since.  (There have been ongoing problems with his rent payments). The apartment is always dark, he hasn’t collected mail and his phone won’t take calls.  Then another tenant said that the first tenant said he was going to rehab.  This made a lot of sense but I didn’t know he had a problem.  Now I don’t know what to do.  He’s gone but all his stuff is there and the future doesn’t look good for him turning things around.  Can I/should I go ahead with the eviction? I really don’t want to toss him and his stuff out with him in rehab but I need to collect rent.  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric

[Ebonique Esprit]

@Eric Allgeier Start to evict immediately! Evictions take time in my state. You have to issue a 30 day notice before you file with the court, it takes around another 30 days to get your court date (60 day no rent on top of how many days it took you to decide) and if you don’t find him it is against the law to enter the unit and remove his personal items without his permission. So you then have to post your intent in the paper for another 30 days plus pay a sheriff fee. The Sheriff will look for him to serve him then stand by and watch as you do all the work. Oh, there is also the cost to dump his stuff. All of this happens while you are not getting rent.

[Ric McGuire]

I've been a landlord in the Atlanta Georgia market for 30 years.  I've only hired a lawyer for an eviction maybe twice, out of dozens of evictions.  And that was only because I have lived in Florida for the past 10 years and didn't feel like driving to court myself.  I couldn't imagine using a lawyer for a typical eviction, but that's just me......

One guy on this thread said that you have to "store his possessions".  Really????  Do you need to gift wrap them too?  Not in Georgia.  You must have a crew of at least 4 people (that you pay), to set EVERYTHING at the curb within one hour while a deputy stands around watching (in case he is needed).

Like most everyone on here has already said, you need to take care of business.  It's very simple.

[Alex K.]

@Eric Allgeier should’ve started the process 2 weeks ago.

[Alan Grobmeier]

@Eric Allgeier, the best part is that his stuff becomes ‘your stuff’ in lieu of back rent, depending on your state.  You need to hope he has some ‘good stuff’ in there.  ;-)

[Eric Allgeier]

Originally posted by @Alex K.:

@Eric Allgeier should’ve started the process 2 weeks ago.

 I can't. By law I have to give him 15 days notice before filing.  I gave him notice the first day he didn't meet his repayment plan.

[Stephen A Binion]

@Eric Allgeier.

Evict. Don’t wait.

Ask me how I know. Rehab, gets halfway caught up and a relapse.