Eviction Alternatives - Property Management Park City Utah Tips
Today's blog post is the second part in a two part series on eviction. The previous post, Eviction How To From Property Management Park City Utah, can be found by clicking here. This time I will be talking about potential alternatives to eviction in Park City property management. As previously discussed eviction can be a difficult and lengthy process in Utah property management. Therefore I feel it should be used as a last resort after other possibilities have been exhausted.
Communication
I know this sounds obvious as I write it but you should talk with your tenants before beginning an eviction. Discuss the problem and potential solutions. If payment is late find out the cause and when the tenant will be able to pay. If they need a week because they had some unexpected car trouble and need a paycheck to catch up it really isn't worth an eviction. Are they violating other terms of the lease such as making noise after quiet hours or too many pets? Reach out to your tenants and honestly talk about the problem. Perhaps they are not aware the noise they are making is a nuisance or what the pet policies are. Maybe they are dog sitting for a friend and they pet will be gone soon. There are many reasonable decisions or circumstances that can result in a tenant violating a lease. Discussing solutions with a tenant can resolve most problems. Other tips for discussion are to pick a neutral public location to meet and use an understanding, non-threatening tone. People are more likely to listen and not argue if you are willing to do the same.
Notice From An Attorney
Nothing makes people pay attention faster than a letter from an attorney. If you have a Park City property management company they should already have a working relationship with an attorney and pre-drafted notices on hand. If you manage a property by yourself contact with an attorney knowledgeable in Utah property management law can be very beneficial. If you've called or sent letters to your tenant and have received little or unfavorable response then a letter drafted by an attorney will at a minimum let your tenants know that you are serious about enforcing the provisions in your lease. Most people are not interested in legal trouble and spelling out specific obligations and consequences for not meeting those obligations can help stubborn tenants see the light and correct inappropriate behavior.
Release The Current Tenants
Maybe the reason your tenants are being difficult is they no longer want to live in the property. Maybe they've changed jobs and added an hour to their commute. Perhaps they've just had a baby and that one bedroom isn't working out. There can be any number of reasons why a person needs to move and a lease could be the only thing holding them back. Their frustration over feeling trapped by the term of a lease can be manifesting itself in a lack of concern for the rules. Or maybe they have simply outgrown the property and it no longer fits their current life circumstances. A lease is essentially an agreement between two parties of the possession of a piece of real property. If the two parties can reach a subsequent agreement then the terms of the lease can change. Perhaps the current tenants allow you to market and tour the property in exchange for them being able to leave in 30 days. Maybe the tenants themselves can go find new renters which, after approval from the landlord, can take over the lease of the property. You can always negotiate some type of buy out as well. Perhaps the tenants are willing to pay you an extra month's rent if they can leave. Or, depending on how badly you want the tenants out, maybe you as the landlord offer to pay moving costs. Money talks and this may be the ticket to having unwanted tenants out without resorting to the lengthy and possibly expensive process of eviction.
If you are interested in learning more about property management Park City Utah, download our free white page "5 Questions Every Landlord Should Ask Themselves".
