Were you aware that the median gross rent in Texas is almost $1,150 a month?
If you have a good number of tenants, then this amount can add up to quite a pretty penny. The problem occurs if you encounter one or more tenants who don't pay their rent on time, if at all. At that point, you might be thinking it's time to start the eviction process.
Are you wondering what the process is like? Keep reading to learn about evictions in Houston, Texas with this landlord's guide.
Write an Eviction Notice
If your tenant is late on rent, then it's within your right to give them an eviction notice. In the state of Texas, you're required to write out a notice and give them a physical copy. Be sure to keep a copy of it in your files just in case.
For the average tenant, you can give them a minimum of three days to either pay the rent they owe or vacate the property. However, if your tenants are occupying your rental properties due to a government program, then you'll need to give them a full 30 days. This is due to the federal CARES Act.
File to Evict Tenants
If the tenant hasn't paid the rent or vacated the property in the allotted time, then you have the right to file an eviction. Keep in mind that the hearing won't take place until a full ten days have passed since the filing. That's the earliest the hearing could happen, but it may be scheduled for even later.
Once the hearing takes place and there's a judgment, you'll have to wait another five days before evicting your tenants or filing an appeal if the ruling wasn't in your favor. An appeal could drag out the process for another week or more.
There's no denying that the eviction process is long and often difficult. This is why it's important to seek out the best tenants you can find. Instead of doing the marketing and screening on your own, it's worth hiring the services of a property management company.
They can handle tenant matters on your behalf and much more. This will allow you to get the most out of your real estate investing.
Are You Ready to Handle Evictions?
Now that you've learned about evictions in Houston, Texas with this landlord's guide, you can make sure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. While it's ideal to avoid evictions, sometimes that's the only solution.
If you'd rather have someone else handle these types of matters, look no further than Terra Residential Services. Not only can they help you with the eviction process, but they offer other essential services, too. From tenant screening and marketing to maintenance and rent collection, you can count on them to do the heavy lifting.
Be sure to ask about our free rental analysis.
