How costly is to evict and collect back-rent from a tenant?
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How costly is to evict and collect back-rent from a tenant?
I have a tenant who has been living in my property for 7 months now (3 year lease). He initially paid 1/3 of his security deposit with his first months rent, and committed to pay the rest over the next 3 months along with the monthly rent. We wrote this addendum into the lease contract. The first 5 months went relatively well. They now refuse to pay the rent (2 months)and won’t even communicate. I mailed them a Certified a Notice to Quit which they refused to sign for. How costly is this eviction process going to be for me? I am already suffering such a loss of funds. Do I have a winning chance?
Asked on February 9, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Michigan
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Initially it will be an outlay of money to an attorney to help. Yes, you should strongly consider getting legal help. Landlord tenant law is so nit picky that any little thing you do wrong could result in the matter being thrown out of court. Like the notice to quit you sent: the manner in which you served it may not have been correct so really it is invalid. But the longer you wait the more money it is going to cost you in rent so really you have to do it now. You can sue for the back rent as well. And yes, you have a winning chance from what you have said here. Good luck to you.
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