2022 saw a record 270,000 evictions statewide in Texas.
No property investor becomes a landlord so that they can evict their tenants. It's an unfortunate situation that arises when you fail to do your due diligence on your applicants.
Good tenant screening practices will help you find the best candidates in your area, but it doesn't guarantee you won't have to evict them. Evictions are an unfortunate part of being a landlord, but the more prepared you are for them, the better off you'll be.
In today's post, we'll tell you everything you need to know about handling evictions in San Antonio. Read on and you'll be able to navigate the process with ease and create a better future for your rental investment.
Communicate with Your Tenant
Before you initiate the rental eviction process, it's best to make sure you've exhausted all options with your tenant. If they've missed a few rent payments, give them one more chance to pay and let them know of the next steps you need to take.
Likewise, if they've damaged your property or broken the lease agreement, give them another chance to rectify the issues before sending an official notice. The more forgiving you are with your tenant, the better it'll reflect on you when you're in eviction court.
Understand Eviction Laws
It's also important to do things the right way. Take the time to understand the eviction laws in Texas. The most important thing is to learn which notice to send in your particular situation.
The reasons for eviction in Texas are failure to pay rent, conducting illegal activity, and property damage. Failure to pay rent is served with a 3-day pay or quit notice, while property damage is served with a 3-day cure or quit notice. Illegal activity is more serious and can be served with a simple 3-day notice to vacate.
Preparing for Court
When you issue the proper notice to your tenant and they fail to abide by it, the next step is to officially file the eviction with the local court. After you do this, you and the tenant will be given a court date where the eviction will be decided.
To prepare for your court date, make sure to gather evidence of the tenant's misdeeds. If it's unpaid rent, gather bank statements and correspondence with the tenant showcasing your efforts to get them to pay. For damaged property, bring photographic evidence of the damage.
The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to prove your tenant's negligence. When you're victorious in court, the tenant will receive a notice to vacate by a certain date. If the date passes and they haven't left the property, they can be forcibly removed by the authorities.
Getting Help with Evictions
Evictions are easily the worst part of being a landlord, as they cause stress and hurt your rental income. You don't have to deal with them alone, however.
Hiring a property manager to screen tenants, offer tenant services, and handle evictions will take the stress out of being a landlord. At PMI San Antonio, we offer comprehensive property management services that allow you to simply enjoy the benefits of being an investment property owner.
Contact us today to learn more about what we do and how we can help with your eviction.
