Avoiding the Eviction Process

[Kenneth Garrett]

I have evicted tenants before but here in Illinois it is time consuming and costly.  Looking for creative ways to get tenant out legally. Buy them out, etc.

[Matt W.]

Cash for keys. The agreement doesn't need to be long winded, just state that the tenant is voluntarily returning possession of the unit to you, state the amount of money exchanged and dates of when things will happen, and get them to print, sign and date. Preferably all adult occupants in the unit or whoever signed the lease. You can also state that you won't go after them in small claims/collections or if you'd like the matter to stay confidential but I don't know how enforceable a court would view a breach.

The toughest part of cash for keys is the timing. People need time to move and you risk giving them another 3-4 days of free time if they back out of the agreement. When it works, giving the deposit back and even plus some money can be cheaper than the time and money spent on an eviction. I feel your pain as CA is very slow as well.