An eviction is a legal process that a landlord may use to remove tenants from their property. Evictions can occur for a range of reasons. These include non-payment of rent, criminal activity, not vacating the property when the lease is up, housing an unauthorized tenant, and more.
If you are a landlord, it is good to understand your rights surrounding the eviction process and what some of the likely outcomes are. In this blog post, your expert team at HomeRiver Group will highlight what you need to know about evicting a tenant. Let's get started with this eviction guide.
Notices for Termination With Cause
There are a number of scenarios where a landlord will have a reason for wanting a tenant out. In these cases, they can use various termination notices.
One of these is what's known as a "pay rent or quit notice", which a landlord may use if their tenants have not paid the rent that is due. Tenants are given a few days to pay their rent or move out of the property. In Virginia, tenants have 5 days to pay rent or move out before a landlord can file for eviction.
A "cure or quit notice" is typically given by landlords after tenants violate a condition or term of the rental agreement. For example, this may include a no-pets clause. In Virginia, tenants are provided with 21 days to cure and an additional 9 days to quit.
The harshest termination notice is the "unconditional quit notice". This effectively orders a tenant to move out with no chance to correct the violation or pay rent. This is generally only allowed when tenants have caused a serious violation, damaged property, or engaged in serious illegal activity.
Removing Tenants After an Eviction Suit
In some cases, a tenant may mount a defense against an eviction suit. This can add weeks or months to the eviction process. During this process, a tenant may attempt to highlight mistakes in the eviction complaint or notice.
For landlords who win an eviction suit, they will still have to follow local and state procedures for the physical removal of tenants. In many cases, local law enforcement may be required to carry out the actual eviction. In the case of abandoned property after an eviction, there are specific steps that a landlord must follow.
Guide to Evictions as a Landlord
No landlord likes having to evict tenants. Still, sometimes it is the only option left and is necessary to help protect their property and finances. In these cases, it is essential that landlords are thorough in following all eviction rules.
In Virginia, your premier choice for property management and eviction support is HomeRiver Group. Our experienced team will help to take care of every aspect of property management, including overseeing evictions.
Contact our team today to learn more. We look forward to speaking with you.
