Tenants sometimes stop paying rent. This may seem frustrating, but don’t worry! There are plenty of ways for you to approach this problem.
What should I do if my tenant stops paying?
If your tenant falls behind on their rent payments, the first thing you should think about is how you want to try and solve this issue with them. You may want to try and talk to them about the situation and see if they are having any financial difficulties. If they are behind on rent, they may be able to work out a payment plan with you.
If the tenant does not respond or is unable to pay, you may need to take more drastic measures. You can file an eviction lawsuit with the court.
A lawyer can help you with the eviction process and represent you in court. If the tenant does not leave after the court orders them to, the police can remove them from the property.
It is always best to try and work things out with your tenant before taking any legal action, but remember that you are within your rights to take this step if needed.
If you are a landlord, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself from tenants who do not pay rent. One is to have a written lease agreement that spells out the terms of the tenancy, including how much rent is owed and when it is due. This will help make sure that both you and the tenant are clear on expectations.
You can also make a payment grace period part of the lease agreement. This allows the tenant a certain amount of time to come up with the rent after it is due before you take any action, such as filing an eviction lawsuit.
Tenant screening is another good way to protect yourself from potential troublemakers who may stop paying rent. Tenant screening includes checking references to make sure the tenant has a good rental history.
Finally, you can add a clause requiring your tenant to keep the unit in good condition and pay all utility bills during the tenancy. This is another step that may help discourage tenants from not paying rent.
Where to go for help
If you need to evict a tenant, you can contact your local legal aid society for free assistance. Landlord-tenant issues are the area of law covered by Legal Aid.
Landlords who rent property outside of Vancouver may want to speak with an lawyer about how this affects them specifically . A lawyer may also be able to help you apply to the court for an eviction order.
What not to do
Do not engage in any form of rent-related intimidation or harassment. This includes removing, tampering with or changing locks on the tenant’s doors and taking their possessions as a way of forcing them to leave the unit. These actions are illegal and could even result in criminal charges being laid against you.
What is my next step?
If your tenant has not paid rent, the first thing to do is contact them and try to come up with a solution that works for both of you. If you are unable to resolve the situation on your own, consider taking legal action.