Legal Reasons to Evict a Tenant

Evicting a tenant is a necessary evil that comes with owning property. It can be a complicated process that can have many legal repercussions. This is why it is important to know the reasons a landlord may legally evict their tenant. Keep in mind that even with a valid reason there is a specific process that must be undergone to successfully complete an eviction.

Failure to Pay Rent

If a tenant fails to pay their rent, the landlord may evict them from the property. In most states, there will be grace periods for late payments, to ensure that you know the applicable laws in your state. Keep in mind that failure to pay a late fee is not the same as failure to pay rent.

Property Damage

Wear and tear from regular life is completely normal. The longer a tenant has resided in the property, the more wear and tear there will be. However, extensive damage is reason enough to warrant an eviction.

Illegal Activity

Illegal activity is a valid reason for a landlord to evict a tenant. This can include distributing illegal substances from the property, as well as running an unlicensed business from the home.

Lease Violation

Violations of the lease will allow a landlord to evict the tenant. Having pets in a property with a no – pets policy is a violation of the lease. Subletting the property without permission may be a violation of the lease. Other things may also be violations of the lease, depending on the specific contract.

Lease Expiration

If the lease expires and the tenant has not vacated the premises, the landlord is able to evict the tenant. This is only applicable if the rental agreement has not been renewed. This may be preferred over a month to month tenancy due to the issues that may arrive from that particular situation.

Once you have determined that you have a legitimate reason to evict, you must follow the proper eviction process. Luckily, here at Keyrenter, we have an eviction rate of less than 1%. To learn more about how we can help you with the eviction process, contact us at Keyrenter in Tacoma today!