8/29/2005
Advice from Nashville's leading Financial Aid Advisor Dave Ramsey
Dave Says
By Dave Ramsey
Author of:
Financial Peace and
The Total Money Makeover
"How do I evict a tenant living out of state?"
Dear Dave,
I have a rental property located in another state. The current tenant is two months behind in rent, and says she is having financial problems. I offered to let her out of the lease if she would just move. That was thirty days ago. She will not move out and has not paid. Do I have any options other than getting an attorney involved? I’ve spoken to one and it could cost nearly $700 just to get started.
Janice via email
Dear Janice,
That’s an absurd attorney’s fee for an eviction. You should check with some other attorneys and get a more reasonable price. Then, I would call this renter and gently find out more about the financial problem they’re in and what’s going on.
You might want to agree once more to waive the back rent if she’ll agree to be out by a certain date that you both agree on, adding that if this person is not gone by the date you agree on that you’re going to have her removed and take everything she owns through a court proceeding. I know you don’t want to be mean, but she’s being unfair to you by ignoring your wishes and living in your house free of charge.
If you don’t want to go this far, you might want to offer her $200 to leave. It would help with her financial difficulties and get you your house back. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll have to get some legal action working for you.
- Dave
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