How To Get Rid of Tenants Without Eviction: Best 2 Methods

by Stephen Michael White

Author

April 18, 2024

Last Updated

Evictions

Key Takeaways

Respectful Communication: Clearly and politely communicate with tenants about their need to move out, ensuring a transparent and understanding approach.
Cash for Keys: Consider offering a financial incentive to encourage tenants to vacate voluntarily, which can be a quicker and less stressful solution than eviction.
Legal Awareness: Understand your rights and obligations as a landlord and remain compliant with housing laws to avoid legal repercussions.
Supportive Transition: Assist tenants in finding new housing or provide resources to ease their transition, fostering goodwill and reducing potential conflicts.

Preventative Measures: Implement thorough tenant screening processes to avoid future issues with non-paying or problematic tenants.When renting out a property, your tenant legally has a right to control the property during the lease period. While this enables you to collect rent when things are going smoothly, it can also cause problems when your property situation changes.

If you need to get rid of bad tenants or sell the property, it’s time to learn to do so without eviction. Eviction takes a toll on your time, finances, and mental health. Also, eviction isn’t always necessary!

Do you have good tenants but have no choice but to renovate the property? Talking to them the right way could do the trick.

Do you have bad tenants who you want out ASAP to prevent further grief? This method may require some up-front cash, but you’ll be happy with the success you can find.

You do not always have to rely on courts to get tenants off your property. With these two methods, you can legally do it yourself.

A Table Of Contents For Getting Rid Of Tenants Without Eviction

Your Rights As A Landlord

Before you begin to address how to get rid of tenants without going to court, you must fully understand your rights as a landlord and your tenants’ rights regarding occupying your property.

Some laws exist, both federally and on the state level, that protect tenants from greedy landlords. While you are not a greedy landlord who is trying to get rid of tenants for hateful reasons, these laws still affect what you can and cannot do.

As a landlord, you have a right to:

Sell your property
Renovate your property
Evict tenants who are breaking the terms of their leases
End a contract early if all parties are in agreement

You do not have a right to ask a tenant to leave because you don’t like them, nor do you have a right to ask them to go because you want to rent to somebody willing to pay more. You made a contract with them, and both parties must honor the terms.

That being said, there are still ways that you can get a tenant to move out without evicting them. Your reason for doing this should always be due to changes in business or unruly tenant behavior instead of a personal vendetta.

How Can Landlords Encourage Tenants to Move Out Without Resorting to Eviction?

Landlords can encourage tenants to vacate by clearly communicating the reasons for needing the property back, offering financial incentives through the “Cash for Keys” method, and assisting in transitioning to new housing. Understanding legal rights and maintaining respectful interactions are crucial to avoiding eviction and ensuring a smooth process.

Communicate Why You Want Tenant To Move Out

When you’re attempting to get a tenant to move out of their own accord before their lease period is up, it is essential that you are very clear with them. There is no need to be subtle, and it is illegal to blackmail tenants into leaving your property.

Instead, tell them precisely what is happening.

Here are some examples to help you see what needs to be done:

I plan to make some significant renovations to this property sooner rather than later. I know it is inconvenient for you, but I would like to change our lease agreement and help you find a new rental. Download RentPrep’s lease agreement template here to get you started.
I plan to stop being a landlord and would prefer to sell this property uninhabited, so I would like to end our contract by this date.
You are continually late on paying your rent. I will file for eviction on July 29, but I would also be OK with you moving out on your own before that date. Let me know what your thoughts are.

As you can see, these statements give the tenant a direct and clear reason you are asking them to leave the property. In most cases, you want to avoid giving them a chance to negotiate, as this will delay your process even further.

When The Reasons For Leaving Are Flexible

There are some cases, as seen in example three above, that the “why” for wanting a tenant to move out might be flexible. They may habitually pay rent late or keep pets on the property when the lease explicitly forbids them.

If you cite these as a reason you will be filing for eviction if the tenant does not move out, your tenant may come back to you with an offered solution.

While tenants do not always change, communicating the issue that you are having clearly to your tenant may help both parties work out their problems.

If your tenant shows that they are willing to reach a compromise because they would like to stay on the property, try to work with them. The future of your relationship might be completely different from the past, so don’t be closed-minded to the idea of them staying if they show that they are willing to change.

If dealing with a tenant not paying rent and refusing to leave, explain the potential for eviction while offering an alternative solution, like vacating voluntarily to avoid legal action.

Method #1: Cash For Keys

Sometimes, a tenant needs to go. Whether you are selling the property or tired of late rent payments, it’s time for them to leave. To remove a tenant immediately, consider urgent yet lawful solutions like the Cash for Keys method, ensuring a swift and mutual agreement to vacate the property.

To get rid of a tenant not paying rent, the Cash for Keys method can be an effective solution, offering a financial incentive for them to leave voluntarily.

This method basically pays your tenants to move out. It may seem counterintuitive to offer money to a bad tenant who already owes you money, but sometimes, it is better to quickly end the relationship by putting in a bit more rather than dragging it out in the courts.

Many tenants will happily accept the cash-for-keys offer if given the right circumstances, so there is no harm in providing it. Even bad tenants are likely to accept this type of offer as it gives them an escape from a bad situation without costing them future opportunities.

How To Use Cash For Keys

Find out how to utilize this particular method to help get renters out of your house.

Tell Them The Problem & Consequences
Explain the reason that you want the tenant to go. Let them know what will happen if they do not want to go (i.e., eviction, a new landlord will be taking over, etc.). Remember to mention any damages they will be responsible for if the case moves to eviction.
Offer Them a Way Out
Let the tenant know you are willing to give them a lump sum of cash in agreement to leave the property. Make it clear that this will protect their credit and that they will not owe any remaining balance.
The Release
If they agree, get the entire agreement in writing and signed by both parties. Take the keys, change the locks, and ensure that all utilities have been paid. If there is no damage to the property, return their deposit. You’re free!

How Cash For Keys Benefits Landlord-Tenant Relationship

One of the most significant benefits of the cash-for-keys method is that it suits both parties.

On the landlord’s side, the tenant will leave quickly. It may cost you additional money, but you will save time, money, and energy on eviction. You can immediately take control of your property and begin your next steps.

On the tenant side, they are given an unexpected bonus. Tenants who have been delinquent on their rent can get out of a challenging financial situation without any negative consequences on their credit, allowing them to start fresh.

Method #2: Politely Ask To Tenant To Move Out

If you have a good relationship with your tenants or are hoping for them to move out due to changes in your future business model, figuring out how to get rid of them without evicting them could be as simple as asking them to leave.

To tell a tenant nicely to move out, communicate your request with empathy and understanding, explaining the reasons and offering support during their transition. Offer your understanding and compassion that it is difficult to move without much notice, and do whatever you can to help them. Let them know that you have resources that you are happy to share with them – moving discounts, moving trucks, labor, connections to other landlords in the area, etc.

By telling them that you are willing to help make the moving process more comfortable for them, they will be more willing to re-negotiate your lease period to be shorter.

A positive attitude in your approach makes tenants more comfortable and helps them understand the “why” behind your request. Any assistance you can provide them will make the move more appealing and allow you both to improve your situation.

Tenant’s Eviction Notice

Are you trying to eliminate a tenant because they’re just plain awful? It happens more often than you think. Over time, landlords learn that the key to avoiding eviction is not knowing how to get tenants to leave but how to choose the right ones from the beginning!

Screening potential tenants can be very complicated, but it’s essential that you learn how to do so. Here are a few simple tips about how to choose the best tenants in the future:

Call their references
Confirm pay stubs with their employer
Talk with previous landlords, if possible
Hire a tenant screening service
Do a thorough background check

When you spend more time choosing the right tenant, you can spend less time getting rid of the wrong one. And that can make a huge difference in your bottom line!

What Not To Do

Now that you’ve learned more about how to get rid of tenants without going to court, there are a few things that you must learn to avoid. Otherwise, you could be the one who is taken to court!

No matter what the situation is with your tenant, there are a few things that you are never allowed to do as a landlord without proper court permission:

Change the locks without notice
Remove tenant property
Physically remove the tenant
Turn off utilities
Harass them by intentionally causing problems at the property
Blackmail them

All of these actions are illegal and will get you into trouble. As much as you may want a tenant to leave, it is never right to do these things.

Do not do anything that might make a judge doubt that you are a good person who treated the tenants well. While you don’t want to go through the eviction process, you also want to protect your chances of winning an eviction case if necessary.

Getting Tenants Out Without Eviction

Nothing is more frustrating than being stuck with a tenant on a property you want to sell or with a tenant who doesn’t know the meaning of paying rent on time. You may not want to go through the eviction process despite this frustration.

Instead, focus on the following:

Communicate why you want the tenant to leave
Offer them assistance & incentives to leave the property ASAP
Don’t break any laws
Choose a better tenant next time

By following these actions, you’ll ensure the safety and prosperity of your business for years to come.

Effective Tenant Transition How To Encourage Tenants To Leave Without Eviction