Cash for keys, or file for eviction and a lawsuit?

[Dairon Ruano]

Hello! Let's say you have a tenant that has been great for the past year, never calls you, always pays on time, and you happen to like him/her; because they're so easy to manage. You've gone to this property routinely, to do inspections and they have taken great care of your unit. Unfortunately, they stop paying rent for whatever reason, and now you're having to kick them out. You don't want to hurt their credit report by filing for eviction, and instead you choose to do cash for keys (because you like them). HOWEVER, once you go to have that talk with them, you realize that they've trashed your rental unit since the last time you've been there. At this point what would you do? Would you still proceed with the cash for keys just to get rid of them, or would you file an eviction, and a lawsuit to make them pay you for the repairs?

Thank you for your time, I really appreciate it!

[Todd Rasmussen]

@Dairon Ruano

Evict them for the lease violation of trashing the unit and once you have possession get awarded for damages and the back rent. Their credit score is their responsibility. The way they've maintained your property reflects the consideration they have for you.