Dealing with tenant eviction is one of the hardest things about being a rental property owner. Yet, it is very much part of the job. In 2023, landlords in Maryland filed over 16,000 evictions.
An eviction isn't just about trying to get a bad tenant out of your property. It can have big financial implications for your rental property business. As a savvy landlord, you must find effective ways to minimize or even prevent evictions at your property.
One way to do that is to hire a property manager. Read on to learn how these professions will offer you the eviction protection you're looking for.
Thorough Tenant Screening
As a landlord, you have a right to vet everyone who wants to be your tenant to ascertain that they are responsible people with the financial ability to pay the rent on time. Just be careful not to discriminate against anyone based on their sex, race, religion, or other protected characteristics.
However, if your screening process isn't thorough, bad tenants will end up in your property. It won't be long before you're chasing your rent payments or resolving other disputes.
Reputable property management companies don't cut corners when it comes to tenant screening. They check everything from credit history to criminal background, minimizing the risk of a bad tenant slipping through the vetting process. With good tenants occupying your property, frequent evictions will become a thing of the past.
Navigating the Eviction Process
You cannot throw out a tenant at your will. Tenants are entitled to an eviction process, as outlined by Maryland law. Unfortunately, this process can take three months or even longer if the tenant puts up a fight.
An eviction that drags on is bad for your landlord finances. This potentially means going several months without collecting any rent. And since most landlords aren't well-versed with eviction laws, handling an eviction yourself could lead to a lengthy process.
With a property manager on your team, you can bank on swift evictions. Your manager understands the process of evicting a tenant and isn't likely to make a mistake that could delay the process. The sooner the eviction process concludes, the sooner you'll be able to bring in a new tenant.
Eviction Protection Plans
Some companies offering property management services have eviction protection plans. If you take up such a plan, you'll be shielded from the adverse financial effects of an eviction process.
You'll pay a fee to the company, and in exchange, you'll be protected from the costs of an eviction, such as attorney fees and court costs. All the company needs to ensure it doesn't incur those expenses is to accept only high-quality tenants on your property, minimizing the risk of an eviction.
Be Smart About Tenant Evictions
Evictions are a headache for any landlord, but there's a lot you can do to ensure they don't become a common issue for you. Hiring a property management company is by far the most effective strategy.
If you're ready to hire a property manager who serves the Marlboro market, come to PMI EXPerience. We're a full-service property management firm that leverages state-of-the-art technology to offer quality services to rental property owners like you.
Schedule a consultation with us today.
