What can I do to protect myself?

Rehabbing, Fix and Flip, Rental Properties
1

I have a tenant who hasn’t paid this months rent. He says he’s moving out at the end of the week. He has been a good honest tenant and I believe he will do as he says. It’s his roommate I worry about. I think that the roommate will try to squat. There is no lease in effect. They are on a month to month. What can I do to protect myself?

JP

2
  • You should of had a lease, first & foremost. But if your state is like Texas, you automatically have a “month to month” unwritten lease in place per the law
  • If the roommate does not move out, start the eviction process. A matter of fact I would talk with a lawyer or trustworthy landlord in your state (I can provide advice pertaining to Texas only) - and give them a pay or quit notice TODAY
  • Note that you might dangle some money in the tenant or roommate’s face, not literally speaking, by saying you MIGHT give him/them a portion of the deposit back if the place is in clean and in good condition when they move out — this could help prevent the place from getting trashed. It is up to you to decide if you want to give them any $ back though, and of course inspect the place and change the locks first

Good luck!

3

I agree with motivatedceo. Start evicting now. It probly won’t get to court but the tenant doesn’t know that

4

Thanks. I had already started the process. Unfortunately, in my state it can get dragged out if one knows how to play the system. I’m trying to avoid that.

JP

5

Your tenant isn’t out until you get the house back. That means if he moves out and leaves a buddy in the house, he is still responsible. So tell him that.

If he knows he can’t get his deposit back unless the house is empty, he’ll pressure his friend to get out.

If the roommante is on the rental agreement, you need to be well into your eviction already because you didn’t get your rent this month.