Holdover Tenant: How do you handle?

[Nathan Gesner]

The tenant was supposed to be out on February 18th. There's been no communication or payment or prorated rent for February. I drive to the house and see they are still occupying. Dog is barking, someone is yelling at the dog, but they refuse to answer the door.

When a lease expires but the tenant refuses to leave or takes longer to move out than expected, they are considered a "Holdover" tenant. How do you deal with them? Do you start the eviction process? Post notice? Try to communicate and give them more time?

I have my process but would like to hear how others would handle this situation.

[Adam Martin]

In the past I haven't cared and everyone has taken longer than expected and I pro-rated the rent for the additional time.  This is the primary reason I don't bother showing until it is vacant to avoid situations such as this.  There was another post about holdovers though where someone said they have on their lease what the daily rate is and I intend to make it 2x the daily rate.  I plan on reminding them at the end of their stay but they were warned early about it and agreed in advance.  I have to plan my days off in advance for work and try my best to arrange help and whenever they don't leave on time it causes a delay.