An uptick in Savannah evictions has led to a serious homelessness problem.
As a landlord, you never want to become part of reports like these. Sadly, when you have a really bad tenant, you don't have much of a choice other than to evict them. It can be a long, drawn-out, and stressful process, which is why an eviction protection plan is so important.
Today, we'll explain how to make an eviction protection plan and when to enact it. Keep reading and we'll make the eviction process a bit more bearable for you and your rental properties.
Prevent Evictions
The first step in any eviction protection plan is to try and prevent evictions from happening in the first place. This requires you to thoroughly screen your tenants so that you only end up with the best candidates. Having respectful and responsible tenants makes a huge difference in your stress level.
Tenant screening involves background, credit, and reference checks on all applicants. When screening is complete, you'll have someone you can trust living in your rental and the likelihood of eviction drops significantly.
Other preventative measures you can take are regular rental inspections and security deposits. Rental inspections allow you to keep an eye on your tenants from afar, while security deposits give you a form of insurance against bad tenant actions.
Offer Assistance
Nonpayment of rent is the most common reason for eviction in 2024. It's also the reason that's the hardest to deal with as a landlord. You never want to put someone on the street because they can't afford rent, but there's a trickle-down effect: If they can't pay, neither can you.
If you're in a good financial position, try and offer some leniency to your struggling tenants, especially if they're otherwise exemplary. Something small, like a rental grace period of three to five days at the start of each month, can make all the difference.
Understand the Law
At a certain point, a bad tenant will force your hand and you'll have to go through with the eviction. It's important to understand Georgia's eviction laws before filing one. Doing it incorrectly can elongate the process or derail it completely, which can add to the stress.
The process starts with the landlord issuing an eviction notice. If the tenant fails to rectify the problem -- pay rent, fix damage, etc. -- then, the landlord must file the eviction with the local court. At this juncture, you'll need to prepare for your hearing by bringing evidence of the tenant's wrongdoing.
Hire a Property Manager for Eviction Protection
These things will help you prevent most evictions and deal with them when they do happen. If you really want eviction protection, you need to hire a quality property management company. With real eviction protection, a property manager will deal with all evictions and the costs associated with them.
At Pam T Property Management, our eviction services can keep you at arm's length from the entire situation. What's more, we'll recover any outstanding rent, utility, or damage costs you incur during an eviction. Schedule your free consultation to learn how it works and how you'll benefit.