Baltimore has the dubious honor of having one of the highest eviction rates in the country. Unfortunately, this means that you could end up facing the eviction of a tenant. As a rental property owner, you don't want to cause someone to lose their home, but you also want to protect your investment.
Working with a property manager can afford you eviction protection. PMI Chevy Chase offers clients a comprehensive eviction protection plan.
Thorough Tenant Screening
Reducing the risk of eviction begins with tenant screening. Thoroughly screening applicants ensures you get a detailed and accurate impression of each possible tenant. Here at PMI Chevy Chase, we do more than a credit and background check.
Our comprehensive screening process strives to answer four questions.
- Is the applicant who they say they are?
- Can the applicant afford this property?
- Does the applicant have a history of paying their bills?
- Will the applicant be a responsible resident and take care of the property?
Legal Compliance
Our team of property managers stays abreast of the latest best practices and Maryland tenant/landlord laws. This ensures our property owners and team do not run afoul of the law, incurring fees or penalties.
For example, this could include analyzing if the tenant's actions meet one of the four legal reasons for eviction.
- Rent nonpayment
- Rent withholding
- Holding over
- Lease breach
If one of these reasons applies, we will follow the outlined timeline for tenant notice, complaint filing, court hearing, writ of restitution, and return of property. If one of the four reasons does not apply, then our property managers will advise property owners of such. This prevents the owner from acting outside the law and effecting a wrongful eviction.
Eviction Protection Plans
When you work with a property management service, ask if they provide any eviction protection or tenant guarantee. At PMI Chevy Chase, we provide our landlord clients with an Eviction Guarantee.
If we screen and approve a tenant who then needs eviction, we take on the responsibility of handling the eviction process. This includes filing the necessary paperwork and all costs and fees up to $2,000. With this type of protection, you don't have to worry about the time, frustration, stress, and financial cost of an eviction.
Property owners must subscribe to the program when signing their management agreement to enjoy this protection. New tenants screened by PMI are automatically covered under the protection. If there are existing tenants prior to the agreement, they are covered after seven months.
What the Plan Does Not Cover
The Eviction Protection plan covers the eviction itself. It does not cover property damage caused by the tenant or move-out costs. It also won't reimburse lost rent.
The plan will not pay for court-ordered fines or penalties incurred by the owner. Owners are expected to abide by Maryland's eviction laws.
Protect Your Rental Properties
Owning rental property is an investment that needs managing and protecting. Eviction is an unpleasant part of being a landlord.
However, it must be done if you have a problem tenant. Eviction protection services offered by PMI Chevy Chase will help you protect your investment.
Contact our team of experienced property managers to learn about what we can do for you.
