New Owner, First Eviction Notice

[Wade Garrett]

I took ownership of a fourplex on August 4. One of the tenants asked if they could pay rent for this month on August 20, which I unfortunately agreed to. It is the 29th and I still have not been paid so tomorrow i call the county clerk and file for eviction. My end goal is to keep them in the unit, but train them not to screw around with late rent. The previous owner had no issues with them, and found them the be helpful around the property. I gave them an inch, they are trying to take a mile. Any suggestions for how to handle this situation and them going forward? Thanks

[Donna Lebaron]

Have u tried a 3 day eviction notice first

[Penny Clark]

@Wade Garrett, look up the laws in your state to find proper notice to issue tenant for nonpayment of rent. If these tenants were timely in paying rent with friends former owner, it should be enough of a warning to get them to pay up. I don't give any tenants leeway unless they 1) Have a well established payment record with ME, at least a year) and 2) Their reason being late can be documented and is beyond their personal control (payroll change over of companies, personal robbery, medical emergency of the tenant not a family member that leaves them incapacitated). Even then, you have to be strict, otherwise, tenants will take advantage. 

Good luck! 

[Michele Fischer]

What kind of late fees can you charge under the current agreement?  That is a pretty effective deterrent, to enforce that and require them to at least partial pay.