Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated almost 5 years ago,

User Stats

79
Posts
14
Votes
Lallu Tappu
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Plano, TX
14
Votes |
79
Posts

Newbie Landlord looking for options to get a problem tenant out

Lallu Tappu
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Plano, TX
Posted

I have a few rental properties but I always inherited tenants and the ones I got have all worked out until I found this one and learnt a lot of lessons. This is in Fort Worth Texas. I have a half-duplex where I had to evict the tenants. Once I did, I listed the property and found a new tenant that I met and we signed the lease. I have the only copy. She gave me a sob story and asked not to run her credit and I believed her (mistake #1). She gave me a check for the deposit and first month's prorated rent (mistake #2, not asking for a cashiers check). I gave the tenant the house keys (mistake #3). As you can guess where this is going, the check then bounced and I got charged an extra fee. I contacted the tenant and got more stories. As a result, I did not send the tenant a copy of the lease. She was communicative and assured me she would pay as soon as her account was unfrozen by the bank and I believed her, hoping not to have to go through another eviction. Then, after about 10 days, I just asked her to either pay or move out since she hasnt paid a single cent to date. She replied saying she would move out on March 16th. I texted her again on March 15th and called and texted numerous times but no response. I went there last night and she was sitting by the front porch with no intention of ever moving out or paying. She knows the Tarrant county civil courts are closed due to COVID-19 so an eviction process is going to be a long drawn out process. I was hoping to see if there is another way to get her out of the house quicker or do I have to wait for courts to open and follow the regular eviction process? She has no paperwork other than text messages, bounced check and eviction notice I handed her yesterday. She has not made a single cent in payment and is living there practically for free. 

I know I made a lot of mistakes in this whole transaction but what can I do now to get her out? Just wait for the courts to open in April and then file for eviction? Since there has been no money exchange and no lease exchanged, is there a shorter route I can take? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Loading replies...