Landlords generally want to keep their tenants in their rental units for as long as possible. They have reduced cleaning and repair responsibilities if the current tenants stay there for multiple years, and they don’t miss out on rent while the unit is vacant.
However, sometimes landlords reach the inevitable determination that a tenant cannot stay in their unit anymore. In some cases, landlords may be able to simply refuse to renew a residential lease that expires in a few months. Other times, they realize that the longer the tenant stays in the unit, the more their presence may cost the landlord.
An eviction may be necessary to convince a tenant to vacate an occupied unit. When can landlords legally initiate eviction proceedings?
When tenants have failed to pay rent
Making timely rental payments is the most basic responsibility imposed on residential tenants. Job loss, budgetary issues and other challenges may result in them paying less than the full amount or paying late. In some cases, they may cease making rent payments entirely. Landlords can initiate eviction proceedings when their tenants have not paid rent.
When tenants damage units
Wild parties, indoor smoking and even pets can cause significant damage to a rental unit. Tenants can cause damage that can cost a landlord thousands of dollars to repair. In more serious cases, the damage they generate during their tenancy may significantly exceed the security deposit that they provided. When landlords worry about continued damage to the property and have documentation of the damage already caused by the tenant, they may be able to evict them to protect the property from further damage and repair the current damage.
When tenants violate their leases
Many leases restrict certain types of activities. Tenants may not be able to have overnight guests for more than a certain number of days per month. They may not be able to smoke inside the unit or have pets. When landlords have documentation of significant lease violations, they may be able to evict the tenant because they have not held the lease agreement.
Landlords dealing with problematic tenants may need help evaluating their options. Documenting tenant issues and getting help as early as possible can help landlords limit their economic losses.
