What do you pay for an eviction?

Question

Hi, looking into eviction attorneys to manage the process for me. Apparently, they have much easier access to file a court summons rather than myself going down to the courthouse clerk. I'd just like someone to handle the whole process. I found one online for $1500 which seems reasonable.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

If you feel comfortable spending $1,500 then go for it. Most evictions cost far less than that. You can file yourself and do it for $200 or less.

Here the truth: if a Tenant is obviously guilty, they won't waste their time going to court to argue with the judge. When you start the eviction process, they will disappear. In my experience:

- When you serve the Pay or Quit Notice, about 80% will pay everything they owe

- For those that fail to pay, about 15% will negotiate something with you or just move out

- That leaves 5% that hold on. When you file for the actual eviction in court, the Tenant will receive a summons to appear and that will scare off almost all of them. It's very rare that someone goes to court to argue that they don't owe rent when they clearly do.

I mange 400 rentals and get rid of tenants all the time, but I haven't had to evict a tenant through the court system because they always pay, move out, or negotiate something with me.

Bjorn Ahlblad · Answer

@Leland Smith you can call/join your local LL Association. They will have a lawyer who does nothing but represent LL issues and evictions etc. All the best!