In America, 77% of people prefer to rent their home rather than buy it. With these high numbers, as a landlord, you'll likely face the challenge of evicting a tenant at some point.
Navigating the eviction process can be complex and daunting, but understanding your rights and responsibilities is crucial. If you're a landlord managing your own Virginia investment properties, this all lands on your shoulders. However, there are some practical tips you can equip yourself with to make the process smoother.
This article will provide a quick and easy guide to evictions in Virginia. Whether you're dealing with non-payment of rent, lease violations, or other issues, this article will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to navigate the eviction process.
Notice of Termination
To evict a problem tenant before the end of the lease agreement, you need to have a due cause. There are several reasons you may want to evict your tenant, such as:
- They keep paying their rent late
- They default on rent payments
- They've damaged your property
It's crucial to provide the tenant with notice when evicting for any of these reasons. However, if the reason for the eviction is minor, you may want to give your tenant a chance to fix the issue before proceeding with the eviction process.
Five-Day Notice to Pay Rent
If the tenant falls behind on rent, issue a five-day notice to pay or vacate. This notice will tell the tenant they have five days to settle the full rent amount, failing which eviction proceedings will be initiated. Should the tenant fail to fulfill the rent obligation within the specified timeframe, the landlord may proceed with filing an eviction lawsuit.
30-Day Notice to Cure
Sometimes, you can give the tenant a notice to cure or quit before proceeding with evictions. This notice allows the tenant to rectify the situation within a specified time frame, typically 30 days. Should the tenant fail to address the issue within this period, eviction proceedings may commence.
30-Day Unconditional Quit Notice
In cases of more serious reasons for eviction, such as non-payment of rent or lease violations, it is necessary to give the tenant a 30-day notice. This notice informs the tenant that they must vacate the rental property within 30 days or face eviction proceedings.
No Notice
You're not obligated to notify your tenant of eviction if they engage in non-remediable criminal or willful acts that endanger health or safety, including illegal drug activity. In such cases, you can directly file an eviction lawsuit in court without prior notice to your tenant.
Understanding Evictions in Richmond, Virginia
Evictions are a necessary part of landlord-tenant law but can be complex and daunting. This is why you need to understand your rights and responsibilities as a landlord. Depending on the infraction, you may serve your tenant with a five- or thirty-day notice to cure or quit or no notice at all.
If you need residential investment rental management, reach out to us today. At Renter's Warehouse Property Management, we're responsible for managing your rentals, so you don't have to.
