How to Evict a Tenant

If you didn’t manage to prevent problems through tenant screening and are now stuck with a bad tenant, you need to be rid of the burden as quickly as possible. There are certain rules and regulations you need to follow, but here’s how to evict a tenant.

Determine the Exact Legal Problem

To legally evict (or kick out) a tenant, you have to have a legitimate legal reason to do so. Your reason can be something like “failure to pay rent” or “repeated failure to abide by the terms of the lease contract.” Usually, you give a warning the first time or two, but you must absolutely be sure to document every warning or conversation about problems. You need a paper trail to prove your tenant is bad, so be sure to send every notice in writing with a copy for yourself. If possible, have the tenant sign to verify the warning.

Serve the Tenant with a Notice

When the tenant has been warned at least once (or twice for good measure) and you’re ready to move forward, check the regulations in your city and state. Then, following those regulations to the letter, properly serve your tenant with an eviction notice. Your state may require this be done by a licensed police officer. If you fail to serve the notice correctly, your eviction notice may not be valid or even legal.

Use the Legal System

Following the notice, hopefully your tenant will agreeably move out, and you can both move on with your lives. If this is not the case, however, you must use the legal system to get your freeloader on his way.

File an eviction lawsuit against the tenant and be prepared to show every scrap of your documentation about how terrible a boarder he was. It’s very possible he will counter sue which is why you must follow the letter of the law. Do not give him a reason to sue you – you can’t “help” him move out, change the locks, or doing anything in retaliation other than filing the lawsuit following failure to leave.

The lawsuit may go smoothly, or it may get nasty. A knowledgeable real estate attorney can help keep the process moving and help you be sure you are staying well within the rules and regulations of your state.

Eventually, assuming you are in the right and have the documents to prove it, you will win your suit and your tenant will be moved along with the assistance of local law enforcement. If you’re very lucky, he might even be required to pay back rent and legal fees, but don’t hold your breath.

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How To Rent a Car in Europe

Renting a car is slightly different around the globe. The requirements for car rentals in the United States and Canada differ from Car Hire Spain or Car Hire France. Even the phrasing and common names for the service are different!

To rent a car in Europe, you should take the following steps.

Be sure your driver’s license is current. In Western Europe a national license from other Western nations will be accepted almost anywhere, but in Eastern Europe, you should have an international driver’s license. This is something to take care of before you leave on your trip.

Work with a travel agent or through a respected company to reserve a rental car weeks ahead of time. Many car rental agencies in the United States and Canada have European branches, so you might be able to compare prices and availability online using the same websites you normally use. You can probably book your car online as well.

Reserve the car you want bearing in mind that most cars are standard transmissions. Automatic transmissions may be available, but don’t assume you are getting one unless it is specified. Reserve the car at a location you will be able to pick it up and ideally drop it off again. It is possible to pick up a car at one place and drop it at another, but this can result in large fees.

Make a deposit using a credit card, and be sure to bring the same card with your to the country on your travels, or bring one that is comparable. The charge will be large thanks to fees and taxes, so be sure your card is not near its limit.

Before your trip you also should review driving rules and tips for the countries you will be driving in. European countries have a much higher fatality rate than the United States, so defensive driving is critical, especially as you may be unfamiliar with the style of transmission, car, and even the side of the road.

Also remember to pack lightly since European cars are small, and plan on paying more than you are used to for the privilege of renting. Car rentals are taxed in Europe up to 33% and insurance can be up to $20 per day. Gas is expensive as well.

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