Eviction in Tarrant County

[MK Wang]

Hi all, I have a couple questions regarding the eviction in Tarrant county.

I have a duplex with executed contract. However, after due diligence on the existing tennants I found out that the tennants in one of the units have unpaid balance and late fees starting from October this year. I am set to close this deal in Jan so here are my questions.

1) Does the unpaid balance with the previous landlord will be carried over to me? in other words, do I, the new landlord have claim over the unpaid balance?

2) Can I start eviction immediately after I close since there is unpaid balance?

3) Can anyone share their experience dealing with eviction?

[John Johnson]

MK,

I have been through a number of evictions.  I have found it pretty simple.  I call the tenant and tell them they have to pay or our process is that after 5PM the next day we will post a notice to vacate.  The next day I post the notice.   Then 4 days later, I file the case with the JP.  15-20 days later, I am in court.  Judge gives me possession and tells the tenant to leave.  

Lastly, I encourage all my investor friends to attend an eviction court at their local JP.  Even in Dallas it only last an hour.  You will learn a LOT just by listening to one (and Oh the stories).  Just call up your local JP office and ask them when the next eviction date is.  Walk in, sit down and listen.  Also, when one of the apartment managers leaves, walk out with them and chat in the hallway for 5min.  

Below are some helpful forms & details from Texas courts that I have used for education.

https://www.taylorcountytexas.org/DocumentCenter/View/88/Eviction-process
http://vctx.org/pdf/NoticeVacate.pdf