Do you maintain contact with tenants during eviction?

Question

I read the Book on Managing Rental Properties and didn't see anything about this.

Once a tenant has passed the point of no return on an eviction, do you still maintain contact with them? I suspect that nothing positive can come out of talking/emailing/texting with a tenant running out the clock until the sheriff comes to remove them. But I'd like to hear what other folks think.

Especially with regards to C-class multi-family.

Steven Kleppin · Answer

I wouldn't directly speak to them. Too much chance to either say something hot-headed, or put the eviction proceedings at risk. Have them go through your attorney like @Ashley Hernandez said. If you don't have any legal or management support, at the very least keep all communication written and have a second set of eyes look it over so that you aren't saying anything inflammatory.

Deanna McCormick · Answer

@Joe H. Your response could be I'm honoring the courts decision here is your move out check sheet. and Id post it on the door.

I've done 100's of evictions I managed a complex where we had a limit of 20 a month.. we simply couldn't afford the court costs to do more.. some paid, and stayed, some defaulted and didn't show.

After court if they didn't show and I was given the writ,  I would post a move out check sheet on their door and list as per "court stipulation  on XXX date your keys are to be turned in by 12 noon. ..  the mail takes about 2 days and this gave them the YUP you gotta go.. FOR sure you gotta go ... I"M not joking you gotta go... I'm watching what's going on YOU gotta go... heads up.. RARELY in over 30 years has the sheriff had to be called back out to post..

Joe H. · Answer

@Ashley Hernandez @Tracy D.

Thanks for weighing in. I'm not using an attorney and I don't have anything to say to this tenant, so I am not responding to their voicemails and emails. I have communicated via court summons and judgement and I think I am done, until the sheriff arrives to remove them.

Joe H. · Answer

@Deanna McCormick With the particular situation I am looking at, we have gone to court for non-payment of rent, tenant failed to appear. Judgement was granted for possession of property and posted on the door as per state law. The tenant has reached out and left a voicemail and emailed asking to work it out, they had a problem with their social security check, they are starting a new job soon, typical sob story stuff.

I feel like they had an opportunity to work it out when I posted the 3 day notice. Once that ran out and I had to file a lawsuit for eviction, I am no longer interested in doing business with this tenant.

Frankie Felix · Answer

the only time I have spoken to tenants under eviction is if they have issues with the apartment, I feel they are still in the property non paying but still there, I try to fix any issues they may have. I still treat them as tenants but I will not discuss, or get into the eviction that's why we have an attorney to take care of that,

Greg H. · Answer

I always try to maintain communication if possible.  My goal is to obtain possession of the property asap ! Many tenants stick their head in the sand when things go south so keeping them informed that the clock is ticking can hopefully motivate them to get out

Joe H. · Answer

@Deanna McCormick

Thank you so much for telling me how you handled the writ and prevented getting the sheriff to remove.

Ashley Hernandez · Answer

@Joe H. as you said if the judge has ruled in your favor then best to let the sheriff handle it at this point ;)

Ashley Hernandez · Answer

@Joe H. yes best to keep communication written or just say that they will have a chance to speak their peace in court.  Cover your assets ;) as they say!

Joe H. · Answer

@Steven Kleppin

Thanks. I am handling the eviction and self-manage. At this point I don't have anything to say to the tenant. The judge gave them 3 days to leave and when they don't I will file paperwork to have them removed by the sheriff.

Do you maintain contact with tenants during eviction?

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