According to Cascade Public Media, Washington eviction cases have doubled in the last half year. Sadly, this means landlords in Washington need to be ready to evict tenants if it comes to it.
The best eviction protection practices involve careful preparation and precaution. So what are the best ways to ensure the tenant eviction process goes smoothly? These five property management tips will help protect your investment and your landlord rights.
1. Have a Strong Lease Agreement
A tight lease agreement is your first line of defense against a problematic eviction. Ensure your rental agreement clauses:
Are sufficiently detailed
Address maintenance responsibilities
Establish clear rules for the use of the property
Sets rental payment schedules
Comply with Washington state and federal rental laws
A robust contract is an essential part of your eviction protection strategy - when in doubt, consult a professional.
2. Screen Your Tenants
The best eviction protection is not having to evict tenants at all. Good tenants pay rent on time, take care of the property, and don't need to be evicted. By renting to these tenants, you can avoid eviction nightmares.
Take a look at some tenant screening tips to select these excellent renters. According to Investopedia, the tenant screening process is best left to someone with real experience. The complexities of the criminal records systems mean it's easy for amateur investigators to miss red flags.
3. Keep Records
During an eviction battle, tenants sometimes make false claims. The only way to protect yourself against a disingenuous accusation is to keep detailed records. Save emails and text messages to create an indisputable paper trail.
You should also conduct detailed property inspections at the beginning of every tenancy and keep detailed and accurate payment records. If a dispute with a tenant turns ugly, you'll be glad to have detailed evidence proving your innocence.
4. Follow the Law
If you're evicting someone, you should be sure you have the legal right to do so. Washington state law requires you to serve tenants with appropriate notice. You'll need to file the right paperwork and serve the eviction notice according to procedure too.
In addition, make sure you file all the correct documents. Eviction papers often need to be filed within a certain deadline. If you have doubts about your legal standing, contact a professional.
5. Work With A Property Management Company
Adopting a strong eviction protection posture takes expertise, effort, and time. There's no wonder independent landlords get so stressed. If you're feeling the pressure, consider partnering with a property management company.
These organizations can:
Handle tenant screening
Deal with lease enforcement
Take control of the eviction process
Use conflict mediation skills to solve disputes without escalating to an eviction
Effective Eviction Protection Isn't Easy
You can avoid a lot of stress by having proper eviction protection. With meticulous tenant screening, extensive documentation, and a solid lease agreement, you can protect your investment, maximize returns, and minimize your stress levels.
Here at PMI Arka, we can do all that and more. As part of PMI's massive nationwide property management franchise, we have decades of industry experience to draw from. We're also locally owned and operated here in Bellevue, so we understand the local market.
Contact us today and let's discuss your property management needs.
