When to ask the tenant to leave ?

[Manoj N.]

I have a tenant who stayed in my property for more than a year paying rents before 5th of every month. She is due for 1/3rd of November rent and full December rent now. She wants more time (did not give a definite date) citing an issue with her clients not paying. Her lease ends on May 31 2017. I am in dilemma whether to ask her to leave the house or give her more time.  Any thoughts ? Thanks

[Deanna McCormick]

Well she's your client and you have bill's to pay also.. You can't always be the nice guy and be walked over.. So go the business route. 

Give her pay or quit with the total balance due, itemize Nov balance and Dec balance, include any late fee's, if you charge for that, drop it off at her door, if she's there knock as for payment if she doesn't have it give her the pay or quit,, and just say please look this over and let me know your intentions, I need to know what to expect,  and to call you regarding the payment. Money order or cashiers check only, no personal checks. 

If she asks for a payment arrangement you'll have to see if what she can do is worth waiting on any longer. Be prepared to say I'll have to call you back on that give me a minute, think it over, and then call her back with a yes or no, see if it's what you want to do.  

Otherwise state I will have to take action for eviction on MONDAY,, or latest Tuesday, If payment has not be made.

Follow your state law for the notices and eviction action.  Your in a tough time frame with the holidays coming and court dates get all weird with Christmas and New Years.. in the not to distant future.

You could negotiate with her to just plain leave, no court. If she's out in 3 days and agrees to let you change the locks. by noon on Monday. 

Lots of different actions you can take but the first is giving the Pay or Quit to get the ball rolling.