Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 6 posts · 0 votes
My tenant is three weeks late on rent, and he said he cant afford my place and has agreed to move out, however his word means nothing because he lies quite a bit, do I need to still file an eviction or have him sign a contract saying he agrees to move out in a certain time frame. Just looking for the easiest an fastest way to get him out. He's on a month to month lease and since i have taken over the house he has not signed a new lease with me.
Rockaway, NJ · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
8y
You should have begun the eviction the process the morning after rent was due. if he does not leave at the end of the month, you will have given him 3-4 free weeks to live there. Give him your local version of a 5 day notice to pay or vacate before the day ends. Always begin the eviction process as soon as rent is late. You can always cancel if tenant pays or vacates.
Rockaway, NJ · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
8y
You should have begun the eviction the process the morning after rent was due. if he does not leave at the end of the month, you will have given him 3-4 free weeks to live there. Give him your local version of a 5 day notice to pay or vacate before the day ends. Always begin the eviction process as soon as rent is late. You can always cancel if tenant pays or vacates.
Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 930 votes
8y
One sneaky way to do it is to have a tenant sign an "I have vacated the property and have completed my walkthrough inspection with the landlord as of X date. I understand that an itemized list of damages will be sent to me within 30 days." and have him sign it using his agreed move out date. That way you can change the locks and throw out his stuff the day after.
Rental Property Investor · DFW, TX · Member since 2013 · 953 posts · 910 votes
8y
Send him the 3 or 5 day notice (whatever is required). Tell him if he is not out by then you file for eviction. He's already had 3 weeks free so you're already in a bad situation. I don't know how long the eviction process takes in Ohio though so it may be worth trying to get him out on his own but it sounds like that isn't going to happen. Good luck.
Attorney · Columbus, OH · Member since 2018 · 55 posts · 47 votes
8y
You already have a contract with your tenant and he isn't living up to it, having him sign another one is likely a waste of time. I would post the three day notice at this point (especially considering this question is now a month old). Ray's advice of having your tenant sign a pre-dated move-out notice and then changing the locks could result in an expensive lawsuit as an illegal self-help eviction.