As a rental property owner, understanding the Texas eviction process may not be the first thing on your mind. After all, who wants to think about potential troubles such as dealing with non-paying tenants in Texas before it even happens?
Just like in other areas of business, though, it’s important to have a plan for non-paying tenants so that in case you do run into trouble, you’re adhering to all the Texas landlord tenant laws.
In this article, we’ll review the Texas eviction process steps and discuss the benefits of having a plan in place — even if you currently have high-quality tenants you trust.
Texas Eviction Process Basics
In Texas, like in most other states, you can’t simply kick out residents who don’t pay rent on time without following legal steps. Texas landlord-tenant laws outline the Texas eviction process steps that landlords must follow to successfully remove non-paying tenants.
Step 1: Provide Written Notice to Vacate
The eviction process begins by providing your tenants with a notice to vacate in writing. This notice must give tenants at least three days to either pay the rent they owe or move out of the property.
In some cases, a 30-day notice must be given if you have a mortgage that is backed by a federal government or if you participate in a federal program.
Step 2: File an Eviction Lawsuit
If the tenants don’t pay within the timeframe, you must file an official eviction lawsuit with the court. Once filed, the court case will be scheduled, though it can’t happen for at least 10 days from the time the suit is filed.
Step 3: Attend the Court Hearing
The next step is the court hearing itself. At the scheduled hearing, you’ll present your case as the landlord, showing evidence such as:
- The lease agreement
- Payment records demonstrating unpaid rent
- Documentation of the notice to vacate
If you win the case, the tenant will have the option to appeal, at which case that hearing won’t happen for at least a week from the date of the original hearing.
Finally, if all judgments are found in your favor, you can request the court to provide you with a writ of possession. This will allow you to evict your tenant, with the help from local law enforcement, if needed.
Why It Pays to Have a Plan for Non-Paying Residents
You may not want to think about the worst-case scenarios as a rental property owner, but it’s always in your favor to have a plan for non-paying tenants. As you can see, the Texas eviction process has formal steps you must follow to adhere to all Texas landlord tenant rights.
By having a plan in place before there’s ever a problem, it enables you to act fast if your tenant is late with the rent. It also ensures that you follow the law when dealing with non-paying tenants in Texas so that you can avoid any complications.
Being prepared in this way can help reduce stress, since you are doing everything by the books and not violating any laws. It will also keep your property in good shape, since there won’t be major delays in the process.
You’ll also ultimately be protecting your rental income, as you will be able to proceed through the Texas eviction process in an efficient and timely way so you can find new tenants who will pay rent.
How 1836 Property Management Can Help
Navigating the Texas eviction process on your own can be a daunting undertaking. When you partner with an experienced local property management company such as 1836 Property Management, you can gain support and expertise in Texas landlord tenants rights — and much more.
We know the Texas eviction process steps inside and out, and have a plan for non-paying tenants set up for all of our clients. If your tenants don’t pay rent on time, we will start the eviction process to protect your property and your rental income, all while adhering to all Texas landlord tenant laws.
We also keep all of our clients protected from the very start by crafting detailed leases that adhere to these laws and can be used as proof in an eviction court case.
This is just one aspect of why partnering with 1836 Property Management is a smart choice for rental property owners who want to succeed in real estate investing.
Partner with 1836 Property Management
Dealing with non-paying tenants in Texas doesn’t have to be a headache if you have a plan in place. While the Texas eviction process can be complicated, we can make it easy to navigate.
With years of experience in real estate investing and tenant management, 1836 Property Management helps clients achieve consistent returns. Also, we manage eviction proceedings efficiently, if needed.
1836 Property Management can be reached at (512) 994-4323. For more information, please contact us today.
