If you own investment properties, there's a high chance you'll need to evict a tenant eventually. In the United States, 16% of renters report being "very likely" to undergo eviction within the next month or two.
Evicting tenants can become a nasty battle, so being well-prepared is strongly recommended. This means understanding the rules so you can perform a legal eviction.
Evictions can be complex and time-consuming, so it is essential to understand the steps involved before you begin. This article will provide an overview of the eviction process, including the reasons for eviction.
So if you want to avoid unnecessary lawsuits, keep reading to learn about the eviction process in Portland, OR.
What Is an Eviction?
An eviction is a legal process to remove a tenant from your rental property. This includes removing them physically from the premises, the legal documentation, filing, and court hearing. An eviction can take three weeks to a few months to complete.
Attempting a DIY eviction is not recommended because you risk opening yourself up to lawsuits if you don't do it correctly. Instead, you can hire a lawyer or a property management company to handle it. Both of these will have the necessary experience with court proceedings and be well-versed in the eviction laws in their state.
When Are Evictions Necessary?
No one likes causing someone to lose their home, but sometimes decisive actions are necessary. Here are some reasons you can evict a bad tenant:
- Property damage: i.e., damaged walls, broken windows, ruined appliances, etc.
- Lease violations: i.e., noise complaints, subleasing, unapproved pets, smoking, etc.
- Illegal activity: i.e., drug production or selling, violence, etc.
- Rent issues: i.e., continuously late rent payments or no payments at all
The Eviction Process
So you're ready to get on with the eviction process? Here's what you must do.
Rent Related Evictions
When you're evicting for rent payment issues, you must notify your tenant of failure to pay rent. If they're a week-to-week tenant, you must give them 72 hours to pay the rent; otherwise, you will terminate their tenancy. For all other tenancies, you can provide 72 or 144-hour deadlines.
Lease Violations
When evicting your tenant for lease violations, you must give them a 30-day notice to cure. The notice must give a deadline for fixing the offense; otherwise, you will terminate the tenancy.
Illegal Activities
You must send an unconditional quit notice if you're evicting the tenant because of illegal activities. This notice gives the tenant 24 hours before their tenancy is terminated. After this period, you can file an eviction lawsuit.
The Best Property Management Around
Following the eviction process to the letter means you have less risk of being sued. DIY evictions are never recommended, so hire a lawyer or a property manager to help you through the eviction process. Before filing an eviction lawsuit, tenants must be given the appropriate notice period for their tenancy.
Contact us today if you need a top-quality, full-service property management company in Portland, OR. We have experts waiting to help you with your investment properties.